UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT, UCJUI MOVE TO RESTORE ‘MORIBUND’ UNIVERSITY PRESS COUNCIL

 

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The University Public Relations Officer, Mr Oladejo Olatunji has promised the Union of Campus Journalists’ University of Ibadan that the new Vice-Chancellor will inaugurate the University Press Council.

He made this statement at a meeting held on Friday, 20 November in his office when UCJUI executives paid the director and other Principal Officers of the directorate of public communications a courtesy visit.

The Union of Campus JournUCJalists, University of Ibadan in her effort to restore the position of journalism and effective communication on campus started the movement to restore the University Press Council with emphasis laid on the importance and function of this press council as provided for in the University Students’ Handbook.

They all lauded the effort of UCJUI for pointing out this provision and also agree with the UCJUI executives that it will be a means for effective communication between the management and the students.

In his word, Ayo Akinyemi, consultant to the directorate said, “Media or medium of communication in any society is crucial, that is why I really appreciate this meeting. This will further strengthen the relationship between the University management and the Students as a body; the campus journalists’ deals with all that are spelt out here shows that it is a strong body. I also appreciate the Director for his intervention.”

Director of Public Communications, Mr Oladejo Olatunji made it clear that the University Press Council is a council constituted by the senate and must submit an annual report to the senate. Responding to this, Oredola Ibrahim, the president of the Union of Campus Journalists drew the attention of the Director to Article 4(e) of the Constitution of the Press council which provides for the freedom of the Student Press. He reiterated that though the University Press Council is a creation of the Senate, it does not rule out the independence and neutrality of campus journalists and that the University Press Council should just be a platform for various stakeholders to work together in maintaining a high standard campus journalism and better information dissemination in the University community.

Meanwhile, Mr. Oladejo promised to pass the resolution of the meeting across to the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka and also to facilitate a meeting between him and the Campus Journalists’ executives towards the inauguration and activation of the University Press Council.

Also, the issue of the Students’ Union Press Club was brought to the notice of the directorate and the principal officers who spoke one after the other on the desirability and need for such a club and the possibility of its existence without it being a threat to objectivity in campus journalism.

However, the Consultant to the directorate later advised that the Students’ Union PRO who is also meant to be a member of the University Press Council and other concerned individuals should be invited for a talk with the directorate to determine its continuous existence and to properly identify the club’s duties and mode of operation as a propaganda tool as opposed to a journalistic outfit since it is a creation of the Students’ Union constitution.

Present at this meeting was Oladejo Olatunji, Director of Public communications; Ayo Akinyemi, a veteran Journalist and consultant to the directorate; Olugbenga Akinrinade, Principal Executive Officer; Olatayo Akinsanya, Principal Executive Officer I; Olukayode Abidoyin, Executive Officer; Oredola Ibrahim, President, UCJUI; Oluwafemi Adesope, General Secretary UCJUI; and Alawode Ibraheem, former Editor-in-Chief, UCJUI and the Ex-Officio.

Oredola however requested for continuous cooperation between UCJUI and the directorate of Public communications and solicited for training and internship placement for campus Journalists in the directorate during semester and sessional breaks.

Mr. Oladejo reiterates the cooperation he has enjoyed from UCJUI in the past especially from Godwin Amaize (Mr. Fix Nigeria), a past president of the UCJ and also mentioned notable alumni of the Union like Laolu Akande, special media adviser to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria amongst others who are now giants in the media world; Mr. Akinrinade further mentioned High Priest and Osai Osai as past oladejomembers of UCJUI who he knew their worth and was this was affirmed by the director.

He further urged UCJ to “form a good relationship and strengthen this forum with a constant meeting and come up with robust ideas and suggestions to move the University of Ibadan to a greater height.”

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