The Nigerian Press Council is to partner with the United Nations, the
Nigerian Union of Journalists and the National Universities Commission
on the domestication of a new journalism curriculum in Universities.
Bayo Atoyebi, the Executive Secretary, NPC, said this on Monday in
Abuja when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Executive
Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie.
Atoyebi said that the partnership to domesticate a new curriculum was
premised on the fact most journalism graduates lacked professional
skills.
He said that it was in realisation of this that the NPC and NUJ sought
the support of the Democratic Governance for Development Project of
the UN.
He said: “The content of the curriculum taught in Journalism/Mass
Communication Institutions in the country seemed not adequate to cover
the manpower needs.
“Many graduates upon entry into the industry are often found not to
have sufficient professional skills to function effectively as
journalists, without further training.
“This initiative is for synergy with all stakeholders in the mass
communication education, the regulatory and professional levels.
“We have come to seek your cooperation to organise and coordinate the
process for the domestication of the UNESCO curricula.”
Atoyebi said that the NPC realised the centrality of the role of the
NUC and the National Board for Technical Education in respect to
accreditation.
In his remarks, Okojie pledged the support of the NUC towards
attaining the set goals but stressed that those interested in the
profession must be sorted out.
Okojie said: “Journalism is a profession.
“It is a practice.
“We will help you build capacity.”
Press Council, UN, NUC partner on new journalism curriculum for universities
