By John Dike, Osogbo
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has intensified efforts to foster stronger collaboration between the media and academic institutions, following a series of courtesy visits to the management of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, and Osun State University.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of the NUJ Osun Council, Comrade Olalekan Akindoju.
During a visit to the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, the NUJ delegation was received by the Rector, Dr. Sani Man Yahaya, who underscored the indispensable role of journalists in society.
He noted that without the media, many significant events and developments would go undocumented, stressing that journalism remains a cornerstone of societal growth, transparency, and accountability.
Yahaya highlighted the remarkable growth of the institution’s Mass Communication Department, which, despite being established less than three years ago, has rapidly emerged as one of the most sought-after programmes in the polytechnic.
.He expressed the institution’s readiness to partner with the NUJ in advancing journalism practice in Osun State.
According to him, such collaboration would not only benefit the union but also enhance the academic and professional development of students in the Mass Communication Department.
He further called on practicing journalists to embrace mentorship, urging them to guide and nurture younger professionals in order to sustain ethical standards and professionalism in the field.
The NUJ executives also paid a visit to Osun State University, where they were received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Adebooye, alongside members of the university’s management team.
Prof Adebooye congratulated the newly inaugurated NUJ executives and commended journalists in Osun State for their role in positively projecting the university.
He acknowledged the media’s contributions to shaping public perception and fostering societal development, describing journalism as a critical partner in nation-building.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ in Osun State, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, explained that the visits were aimed at strengthening institutional ties and promoting mutually beneficial collaboration between the union and tertiary institutions in the state.
He lauded the management of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, for producing competent graduates and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to supporting capacity building within the media industry.
Aboderin also disclosed that the NUJ is particularly interested in partnering with academic institutions to train journalists on emerging technological trends, especially in the application of Artificial Intelligence in modern journalism.
At Osun State University, he further commended the management for the significant progress recorded by the institution, while calling for sustained collaboration between the university and media practitioners to enhance development and effective information dissemination.
