THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM: A PRIMUS
INTERPARES OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM
There is no doubt whatsoever to the question " where in Nigeria should I go for the study of journalism?" the answer is pretty simple because there is only one place and that is the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
Not too standing the fact that there are many tertiary institutions where journalism or related profession is been taught in Nigeria. the contribution and impact of the graduate of the Nigerian institutes of journalism cannot be pushed aside. this is made apparent by the writing and the delivery of Abike Dabiri, a member of the National House of Assembly, Mr Emeka Nwani. a sport analyst etc to mention but a few of them are products of NIJ.
Moreover, the justification for a choice for no other institution on the NIJ for a successful career as a journalist lies in a number of the following reasons.
- Public Speaking
It appears to me that the the very first attitude that is inculcated into me in stepping into this great institution .The Nigerian Institute of Journalism is ability to face the crowd and engage in persuasive speaking that is public speaking, as a member of the press, their is no regular demand to face the crowd and make your opinion known without the fear of intimidation. this is one of the basic things that the institution teaches.
- Human Relation
By the virtue of the inreractive environment that NIJ allows among the students, lecturers and non-lecturers. Student learn how to rob minds with the intellectuals, share their opinions which may not be available on other institutions including universities.
This further engenders fruitful or productive contacts in such a way that it provides opportunities for mentorship as between students and lecturers, students and offer professionals which also may not be available in other institutions.
- Quality of Lecturers
The above goes without saying that NIJ is equiped with such arrays of lecturers, professional and up to date knowledges required in this field to the students. This is simply premised on the fact that the quality of an institution is a function of the quality of people in it.
- Access to Facilities
Been a private institution, NIJ is equiped with state of the art ( updated or current technology ) technology that arranges from studio, photo -labs to modern day equipped class rooms, which facilities necessary provides students access to modern means of practicing and studying journalism.
- Freelancing.
Useful contacts obtains from NIJ may provide relevant opportunities for freelancing, which is the major aspect of the profession that develops with the writing skills and interviewing of skills of a prospecting journalists.
- National.
Lastly, it must be sald that NIJ is the only of it's kind in Nigeria. This edge over other institution quarantees quick access to financing, quick access to practioners of international influence and top government functionaries that can help mold the career of prospecting journalists.
For instance, there were delegates from the United States of America to NIJ last year April to address the students on how to become a professional journalists.
In conclusion, it is evident from the above listed advantages that NIJ enjoys above all other institutions in Nigeria. such requisite access to revelant information and influential contacts in Nigeria. This position therefore makes it incomparable primus interfares as an institution that teaches journalism. Thus, any intending practitioner ar a prospective journalist will lay no other foundation for a successful career in journalism without getting a degree in NIJ.
THIS IS A SPEECH DELIVERED BY RAJI OLUWAMAYOWA AGNES THE HALL OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM ON AUGUST 6th 2008
