The Dean, School of Media and Communications,
Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya has called upon the media
to channel their energy on issues that would bring about positive change to the
society, reports ITRealms.
Dr. Obiaya while commending the media for their role in
social reconstruction through their reportage, described them as a window, a mirror
and a gatekeeper. The media to him is also a signpost guide, a disseminator and
an interlocutor, adding that the media person must influence the society positively,
saying that there are critical issues in which the media could play key role.
Issues like aesthetics, environment, corruption, traffic management in order to
ensure national development.
He further stated that the media must challenge the people
with the truth and must not be a mere blank sheet to be influenced by those in authority, stressing that the media need to do more for
national development. He stated that the celebrant has done a lot by
documenting his ideas and experiences in book form.
The eminent scholar threw this challenge in a keynote
address today, July 2 at Planet One, venue of the occasion to mark 30 years of
ICT Journalism and launch of three books by Aaron Ukodie.
Dr. Olusanya Awosan, the former Public Relations Officer to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in reviewing the
three books: “The Privatization of NITEL”, “Path to Nigeria ICT Development”,
and “The Lead Story”, ITRealms
reports, extolled the virtues of Aaron Ukodie to include integrity, saying that
while different currencies belong to different countries, integrity is the
currency of the world. He said that the content of any intellectual work is to
have positive impact on society, and that the brain behind such work has a way
of influencing the intellectual work, adding that for the author to have come
out with the three wonderful books in spite of debilitating challenges is a
clear testimony of his doggedness and passion for the industry.
He said that “The Privatization of NITEL” examines the
challenges which the NITEL faced until the eventual privatization, while “Path
to Nigeria ICT Development” looked at the progress which have been made in the
industry till date. The last but not the least, “The Lead Story” which is
characteristically an autobiography, examined the passion and dream of the author
in the industry. He therefore encouraged the public to get the book both for
self and institutions.
The former Minister of Communication and Chairman of the occasion,
Engr. Olawale Ige in his address, said
that Aaron Ukodie, during his ( Ige’) regime in the industry, was one of the
very few intelligent journalists that show persistence and would stop at
nothing until they got answers for their questions. He praised him for having
the intellectual prowess and time to put his ideas in a book form.
Other dignitaries at the event, ITRealms reports include, the Chief
Executive Officer, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh; Lead Strategist, DigitalSENSE Africa Media, Mr. Remmy Nweke; the former President of the Association of Telecom
Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; Funlola Akiode, a Director
in Nigerian Communications Commission and representative of Dr. Eugene Juwah,the
Executive Vice Chairman, NCC; Dr.Bashiru Gwandu , former
Acting Executive Vice Chairman, NCC; Engr. Lanre Ajayi, President, ATCON; the
former President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr.
Chris Uwaje, Mr. Gbenga Sesan. Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), colleagues of the celebrant in journalism profession and others
too numerous to mention.
Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE
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