NUJ to partner IIJ to develop members

The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert has pledged to partner operators of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Uyo Centre to sustain the viability of the programme in order to enhance self-development for members of the union and professional best practices.

Elder Patrick Albert who made the pledge during a joint meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the union and the operators of IIJ held at the Press Centre, Uyo said that the IIJ programme has gone a long way to stem the tide of quackery in journalism practice.

He commended the operators for bringing their academic experience from the University of Uyo to bear in the programme and charged them to continue to approach their engagement with the IIJ as community service since no monetary compensation can be commensurate to their sacrifices.

Elder Patrick Albert promised to put a machinery in place to facilitate the construction of a permanent block for the IIJ and appealed to members of the union and the general public to take advantage of the programme to acquire professional qualifications in journalism as the course offered by the IIJ, Uyo centre can compete with the best in the country.

Earlier in his remarks, the coordinator of IIJ, Uyo Centre, Dr Peter Esuh said in spite of the challenges faced by the management of IIJ in the state, the operators have ensured that a high standard of teaching and learning is maintained.

He said it is a thing of joy to note that products of the IIJ programme are doing well in the media industry and other spheres of life across the country and assured that the management was working towards addressing some of the challenges.

 Dr. Peter Esuh who is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo solicited the cooperation  and support  of the State  Council of NUJ in a bid to move the 11J programme  to enviable heights.

 Meanwhile, the State Council of NUJ has approved the sale of admission forms by 11J, Uyo   Centre for selection into Post-graduate Diploma in Journalism, Post-graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising, Higher  Diploma in Journalism and Diploma  in Journalism  programmes for 2012 and 2013 academic session.

 A statement from the NUJ indicates that  for Post- graduate programmes, applications must possess a minimum of first  degree or its equivalent  from a  recognized institution, applicants  for higher Diploma  programme must possess a  minimum of Diploma in Journalism or Mass Communication with at least lower credit from a recognized  institution while  applicants  for National  Diploma programme must  possess a  minimum of five  credit passes in WAEC, SSCE, NECO, GCE or its equivalent,  including English  Language  and Literature.

 The statement further indicates that admission forms can be obtained at the Institute, NUJ Press Centre, Information  Drive, off IBB Way, Uyo at the cost of N10,000.00 and returned on or before September 30, 2013.

 Programmes offered by 11J, Uyo Centre are moderated by the University of  Maiduguri and certificates awarded by the Institute are recognized by Universities and other Higher  Institutions at the home and aboard.