" ITREALMS: Obiaya challenges media on positive change @ 30yrs of ICT Journalism

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Thursday, July 02, 2015

Obiaya challenges media on positive change @ 30yrs of ICT Journalism


The Dean, School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya has called upon the media to channel their energy on issues that would bring about positive change to the society, reports ITRealms.

Dr. Obiaya while commending the media for their role in social reconstruction through their reportage, described them as a window, a mirror and a gatekeeper. The media to him is also a signpost guide, a disseminator and an interlocutor, adding that the media person must influence the society positively, saying that there are critical issues in which the media could play key role. Issues like aesthetics, environment, corruption, traffic management in order to ensure national development.

He further stated that the media must challenge the people with the truth and must not be a mere blank sheet to be influenced by those in authority,  stressing that the media need to do more for national development. He stated that the celebrant has done a lot by documenting his ideas and experiences in book form.  

The eminent scholar threw this challenge in a keynote address today, July 2 at Planet One, venue of the occasion to mark 30 years of ICT Journalism and launch of three books by Aaron Ukodie.

Dr. Olusanya Awosan, the former Public Relations Officer  to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in reviewing the three books: “The Privatization of NITEL”, “Path to Nigeria ICT Development”, and “The Lead Story”, ITRealms reports, extolled the virtues of Aaron Ukodie to include integrity, saying that while different currencies belong to different countries, integrity is the currency of the world. He said that the content of any intellectual work is to have positive impact on society, and that the brain behind such work has a way of influencing the intellectual work, adding that for the author to have come out with the three wonderful books in spite of debilitating challenges is a clear testimony of his doggedness and passion for the industry.

He said that “The Privatization of NITEL” examines the challenges which the NITEL faced until the eventual privatization, while “Path to Nigeria ICT Development” looked at the progress which have been made in the industry till date. The last but not the least, “The Lead Story” which is characteristically an autobiography, examined the passion and dream of the author in the industry. He therefore encouraged the public to get the book both for self and institutions.

The former Minister of Communication and Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Olawale Ige  in his address, said that Aaron Ukodie, during his ( Ige’) regime in the industry, was one of the very few intelligent journalists that show persistence and would stop at nothing until they got answers for their questions. He praised him for having the intellectual prowess and time to put his ideas in a book form.

Other dignitaries at the event, ITRealms reports include, the Chief Executive Officer, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh; Lead Strategist, DigitalSENSE Africa Media, Mr. Remmy Nweke; the former President of the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; Funlola Akiode, a Director in Nigerian Communications Commission and representative of Dr. Eugene Juwah,the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC; Dr.Bashiru Gwandu , former Acting Executive Vice Chairman, NCC; Engr. Lanre Ajayi, President, ATCON; the former President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr. Chris Uwaje, Mr. Gbenga Sesan. Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN),  colleagues of the celebrant in journalism profession and others too numerous to mention.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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