NUC throws its weight behind introducing journalism curriculum in universities

The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Wednesday in Abuja said it will give full support for any effort that will uplift both the study and practice of the journalism profession in the country.

The Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, declared the commission’s support at the Focus Group Discussion on the review of the curriculum for the study of journalism.

Okojie, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, NUC, Mr Akinbode Agbaoye, said the development of the minimum standards and accreditation of degree programmes were usually done in collaboration with professional bodies.

Okojie pledged the support of the NUC towards attaining the set goals, but stressed that those interested in the profession must be sorted out.

“Journalism is a profession, it is a practise; and it is important we will help you build capacity,'he said.

In his remark, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Mr Bayo Atoyebi, said the essence of the exercise was to have a curriculum for journalism education.

“Also to produce journalists who can think critically, write clearly and coherently as well as possess and understanding of the socio-political and economic interfaces in democracy within the perspective for Nigeria,''he said.

He said the objective was to build the capacity of prospective journalism students to develop critical perspective in advocacy and agenda setting role of the media.

Atoyebi noted that it would develop the capacity of the print media in reporting with a knowledge base of the various arms of governance.

“It would also promote the values of transparency, accountability and political integrity. It is also to galvanise development and values of democratic institutions,'' he said.

The programme is being done in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the NUC, the polytechnics, the monotechnics, the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the UNDP.