AdminBy Zutem Okolie
With the emerging realities in the labour market, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, students in tertiary institutions have been advised to, apart from engaging in academic activities, invest their time in acquiring vital skills that would help them in getting jobs after graduation.
The Students were urged to focus on building practical skills in their profession ahead of graduation to be able to have an edge over others in the highly skill-driven competitive employment market in contemporary times.
This advice was given during the induction ceremony for new Executive Council members of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UCJ-UNN), held at the Jackson building, Mass Communication Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on Saturday, 30 September 2023.
The new council asserted that it would be difficult for a student who has done nothing during undergraduate days to get a job after graduation in Nigeria today, adding that looking at the situation in the country, it is clear that industries require one to show his or her skills, or job experiences to be accepted for employment.
The newly inducted executives of UCJ-UNN are: Miss Ndidiamaka Ede (President), Mr. Emmanuel Eze (Vice President), Miss Success Wonodi (Secretary General), Miss Maryjane Aniehe (Graphics Editor), and Miss Chisom Oguadinma (Financial secretary).
While speaking at the event, Ndidiamaka Ede, a 400-level student of the Mass Communication Department UNN, stated that the executive council is ready to take the union and its members to the next level if only the members will be serious and ready to participate in their activities for growth in practical skills.
She stressed that the nature of academic activities is such that it is imperative for students to engage in extra-curricular activities to build their future professional lives.
“Students must engage in extracurricular activities, unions, and associations to learn further and to practice their professions so that after graduation, these engagements can add to their curriculum vitae (CV).”
Miss Ede, a former Welfare Director, Mass Communication Students Association (MACSA), further urged students who wish to toe the line of writing and practicing in the media to join UCJ, hone their skills, and be relevant upon graduation.
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She said: “It is what you are doing now as a student that will speak and make way for you, so do not play with this opportunity. We the executives are ready to guide you in this journey, we are ready, the question is, are you ready? If yes, then let’s go.”
“I will ensure that all members of UCJ harness their skills in various aspects of journalism. They will learn, practice, and improve because I intend to bring in professionals that will help our students develop.”
Also, speaking, the Vice president of the union, Emmanuel Eze said: “In our society today, it’s not only about making first class, it is good to make first class, but what is the need for that when you have nothing to offer? Days are gone when you will be employed because you made first class.
“Today, you will be recognized based on what you can do. When you apply for a Job, media houses will first of all give you a task to test your ability. There’s a need for you to practice Journalism as a student. Aside from that, the things you will learn in UCJ will help you pass your exams. This is why you should take this union seriously,” Emmanuel told his fellow students.
During the event, the outgoing president of the UCJ-UNN, Miss. Patience Leonard in her remarks expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve in that capacity, noting that it was an opportunity to learn and grow.
She pointed out some areas that the new administration should work on in order to move the organization to a greater height such as having a website, a patron, induction of new members, conducting periodic elections for new members, and boosting their finances.
The outgoing Vice-president, Miss. Chinalurumogu Eze, an award-winning student journalist who recently participated in the 2023 Roger Hatchuel Student Academy (RHSA) class at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, France, administered the oath of office on the newly appointed executives. She noted that new executive members “have been active members of the organization and with them coming together as a team with different specializations, I believe and trust that they will do better than the previous administration.”
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