The Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, has appealed to the National Assembly to review the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Act to accommodate private tertiary institutions in the country.
Ogunleye stated this at the 5th Convocation and Conferment of Fellowship Award, Awards of National Diploma, Higher Diploma, Certificates and Presentation of Prizes in Lagos, on Friday.
NIJ conferred awards of National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma on 1,841 graduands.
The Provost said it was discriminating to deny private tertiary institutions from benefiting from TETFund.
“I want to appeal to the National Assembly to amend the TETFund Act to include private tertiary institutions in distribution of funds.
“It is discriminating for students from private tertiary institutions not to benefit from the discharge of funds.
“We cannot imagine a Nigeria without private tertiary institutions.
“Many individuals whose companies contribute to TETFund have children and wards in private institutions,” he said.
Ogunleye said he was proud to present graduates of the institute who would represent it positively.
“A very high proportion of renowned journalists in Nigeria passed through this institution. It is my pleasure to present these graduates, who will represent the institute in same light.
”I charge you to go out to the world and make the necessary impact in the journalism profession,” he said.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Mallam Ismaila Isa, Chairman NIJ Governing Council, called on graduates of the institution to approach journalism profession with professionalism.
Isa was represented by Mr. Ray Ekpu, former publisher of Newswatch Magazine.
He said that social media had changed the dynamics of journalism.
Isa urged graduates of the institute to be prepared for the hard work that awaits them in the field.
”Today marks the beginning of another chapter in your lives which I call the University of the streets.
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”You must realise that the mainstream media has the social media to contend with. This is because social media has changed the dynamics of journalism.
”You should be prepared to work till your fingers ache, because that is what will feed, clothe and shelter you,” he said.
Chief Kessington Adebutu, a prominent businessman and Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of Premium Times, were awarded fellowship of the NIJ.
Responding, Olorunyomi commended the institute for the award and promised to uphold the ethics of journalism.
“Nigerian Journalism is in a very serious crisis today. One is the challenge and crisis of ethics, trust and professionalism and challenge of revenue and sustainability.
“If these crises are not resolved, Nigerian journalism will be in a very difficult state and the future will be very weak,” he said.
(NAN)
