By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The unbundling of Mass Communication as a programme in universities and oolytechnics in the country is untimely, the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor l Is’haq Oloyede, has said.
Oloyede said this while
speaking at the 15th anniversary of the University of Ilorin 89.3 FM radio station, which was established while he was in office as the Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Speaking on the theme ‘The Future of Radio, and the Transformation of Broadcasting,’ Oloyede posited that it would be more ideal to restrict specialisation at the post graduate levels.
To him, Nigeria as a nation is still developing, and has yet to get to the level of such development.
The JAMB Registrar averred that there are many graduates from higher institutions in Nigeria today looking for jobs, which wouldn’t have been so if their opportunities had not been narrowed to a particular discipline that is limiting their chances of getting employments.
He said, “We need to be broader, given the level of our under development. It is important to keep Mass Communication at the undergraduate level.”
Insisting that radio, as a communication medium, is a form of sound communication and mass media that constantly contributes significantly towards development of the society, he said, “The intention of the radio is to improve the night economy of a community like Ilorin, for example. Where some people are night workers, while some are insomniacs.”
The university don cum seasoned administrator observed that Nigerian night economy keeps dwindling, which at this point needs attention, adding that radio as a medium could be used to achieve desired developments in diverse dimensions.
The Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, commended the achievements of the campus radio through tireless efforts of the team managing it, lauding the achievement of the campus radio since its establishment 15 years ago.
The VC could not but appreciated his predecessor; Professor Oloyede, for the visionary stance of his to help establish the varsity radio station while in office as the VC.
Egbewole pledged that the university would ensure that the radio station continues to develop and excel further, despite all odds, saying, “There is the need for navigating, repositioning and going back to approaches employed.
“The university will continue to identify with issues that challenges and proffer solutions to the community.”
