MTU VC urges mass comm students to be socially responsible

Vice-Chancellor of Mountain Top University (MTU), Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, has called on mass communication students of the university not to be peddlers of fake news, but rather be socially responsible.

Prof. Ayolabi advised the MTU mass communication students to acquire good media knowledge, digital skills that will make them media literate and functionally relevant in the fierce competitive world of mass communication.

Ayolabi, who made the call at MTU 2024 departmental student’s week and second edition of the industry/partnership series of the department of Mass Communication, said that the call became paramount because of the negative effects and the attendant destructive consequences of fake news to society.

He, therefore, stressed that as gatekeepers, fourth estate of the realm, and the watchdog of the society, they must at all times ensure that they operate and function within these elements so as to be socially responsible and above all be upright.

“Mountain Top University, as a faith-based Institution has put everything in place to ensure that you graduate at the right time, having acquired sound education, morals, character and learning, that will make you globally competitive for outstanding impact on the society and global development,” Ayolabi said.

Speaking on preparing for fulfilling mass communication career in a digital-age opportunities and challenges, Lekan Otufodunrin, a veteran journalist and Executive Director, Media Career Development Network, advised that the students must prepared for the unavoidable challenges in the journey ahead by taking their studies seriously, by doing the needful, acquire  relevant digital skills.

He added that there were lots of opportunities in the Mass Communication Sector of the Economy to explore for those of them that are ready to work hard to recognize the opportunities inherent in the profession.

Otufodurin, who went down memory lane on what journalist had done for him, warned that, you don’t become a Mass Communication Professional when you graduate from the university rather, he stated,

“You need to start now to be fit for the task ahead based on some of what you might have been taught in the school and what you have to go out of your way to learn. You have to be fit for the industry. You need to acquire knowledge. You need to be industry compliant in view of the fierce competition involved in getting a mass communication job”

In her welcome address, the Head of Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Chinyere Mbaka, equally called on the student of the department to tap into the well-equipped facilities such as the functional radio, television and all other facilities, well-trained and experienced faculty members and industry experts.

Speaking further Dr. Mbaka revealed that the whole idea behind industry- academia partnership series, was aimed at bringing industry experts to come and interact with the students and share some useful practical experiences with the students.