The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NIJ

  • NIJ inducts 296

    The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has inducted 296 students for the 2013/2014 academic session for its National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma programmes.

    Its Provost, Dr Elizabeth Ikem, thanked the students for their contributions to the development of the school, urging them to handle the school’s properties with care and make good use of their admission.

    She expressed delight at the licensing of the institute as a monotechnic.

    Dr Ikem urged the students to attend lectures regularly the dress decently.

    “As we officially induct you as a student of this school today, I want you to always remember the difficult hurdles you scaled before gaining admission into this institute. I want you to take your programmes seriously,” she stated.

    The Students Affairs Officer, Mrs Patricia Kalesanwo, thanked the guests who came to share in the joy of the ceremony.

  • On road to Togo

    On road to Togo

    Just back from a recent trip to Benin and Lome,  Fakoyejo Olalekan , shared his experience on life in the two cities.
    The journey to Togo might be long, but the road experience was wonderful! My recent trip to Togo via Benin was full of memorable experiences and it sure would remain indelible for me and other schoolmates from l’ institut de Journalisme de Nigeria, (Nigerian Institute of Journalism.)
    It was an eye opener to know that Togo and Benin might not be one of the most talked about African countries, but they definitely have one of the best towns to visit in Africa.
    The road to Lome is as smooth as the life they live. Throughout our stay, I did not notice any pot holes. And the only traffic we experienced was not as compared to what we are used to back home. There is decorum for all road users – You don’t hear their en chine (okada) riders insulting motorist, and vice versa.
    They hardly talk when they are in traffic.
    Unlike Nigeria where we have traffic officers and yet some still drive against the traffic rules, it is a different scenario in Togo as people obey traffic lights without anyone forcing them to do so.
    The visit was both educative and fun.
    Below as some of the exciting places that fascinated me in both cities.
    Temple Des Pythons (zossoungbo) in Ouidah, Benin
    This is a place where snakes are worshipped. When we were told about this place at first, I could not believe that people worship statue, but not that of a live snake. But as the saying goes, seeing is believing.
    The snakes here don’t bite; they are not even born with teeth in the first place. These snakes are only prayed to for good fortune, and if you approached the snake with an evil intention about your enemies or you wished someone evil, same would happen to you.
    Point of No Return (Benin)
    According to our coordinator and the gate keeper, this is the original point of no return. I never knew another point of no return existed apart from the one in Badagry, until now. The same story we were told about that of Badagry is the same story about this one.
    Lome Beach (Togo)
    The Lome beach is home to many; both indigenes and foreigners. The blue and brown sea looks so good, even when you are broke, you will pay it all your attention.
    The beach comes alive in the night time, after watching the sea wave dance back and forth, the breeze had blown away the stress of the day, and the stars come to play, you can catch some fun at the Togo Cellulaire Center. There are varieties of games there.
    Hedranawe Market (Togo)
    This market is as big as our National stadium; in fact, I thought it was a stadium. I doubt it if there is anything you want, you won’t find there; unless what you want is out of this world.
    For those who love to shop wisely, your wallet is not heavy and you want to buy quality cloths at a reasonable price, then Hedranawe Market is the best place to shop right. In this market, things are cheap when you convert the price to Nigeria currency. A friend of mine bought an earring and pendant for 350 naira, which a friend had earlier bought in Nigeria for 1000 naira.
    Here you get biscuit, cloths, beverages, food stuff, and many more at a cheaper price, half the price you get them in Nigeria. Hedranawe is a place to shop right.
    Cafeteria (Lome)
    The way this cafeteria is built is amazing. Unlike the way our indomie joint is built in Nigeria, theirs is well built, with a television to entertain (that is if you understand French) you while you wait and eat.
    Just like the Hausas and Yorubas selling cooked indomie in Nigeria, they also do same in Lome; but their choice is spaghetti. For 500c (135 naira), you get any type of spaghetti. Either the red or white spaghetti, cooked with bama. This dish comes with assorted meat and Pain (Bread in English) which is as thick as starch.
    Life in Lome
    The capital is as cool as Abuja, but brighter when the stars come out to play. Lome is not just a place for the tourists, but also for those who seek healthy and peaceful life. With a stable light, there are so many opportunities; all they need is a creative mind, which Nigeria has in abundance, but our environment discourages the minds of our entrepreneurs.
  • Celebrating Oshiomhole’s aide at 44

    Celebrating Oshiomhole’s aide at 44

    Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Edo State governor, Prince Kassim Afegbua, turned 44 on August 23. In this piece, his younger brother, HASSAN AFEGBUE, pays tribute to him.

    Prince Kassim Afegbua, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State was born on August 23, 1969 to the famous and distinguished Late Suleiman Afegbua of Okpella, Edo State. In his early days, Afegbua had his primary and secondary education in Edo State. He proceeded to study English Language at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, IIe-Ife. Thereafter, he ventured into Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and studied Public Relations where passed out with distinction. The curiosity to acquire more knowledge and his yearning for a corrupt free society led Afegbua to the United States to study postgraduate programme in anti-corruption studies and good governance.

    Ever since, Afegbua has always intended to crave a niche for himself in whatever he does. Having worked in various magazines such as The Source, Glamour and Conscience International, he delved into politics in 1996 and became a protocol officer to M.D. Yusufu. Afegbua later worked at the PDP headquarters for two years. Having successfully acquired knowledge and experience in politics, Afegbua with people of like minds left the PDP to form the National Frontier with Edwin Ume-Ezeoke as chairman. The National Frontiers was later transformed to National Democratic Party (NDP) having Afegbua as the foundation Director of Publicity. Afegbua rose to become the Director-General of NDP before he was appointed as spokesman to IBB in 2005.

    While as IBB spokesman, Afegbua was seen by many as an orator, intelligent and knowledgeable young man due to his profound contributions on matters of national importance on behalf of his master. Others see him as a controversial politician and public affairs analyst perhaps, because of his blunt nature and his critical stance on issues related to IBB. But this negative idea did not deter the sturdy and courageous Afegbua from discharging his duty because he believed he had a mission to accomplish. His mission I believe was an attempt to lead others to the real insights about IBB’s life style and conducts so that proper and valid records would be set for public understanding and assimilation. And he did accomplish his mission before he was appointed as the Special Adviser to Oshiomhole.

    As the Special Adviser on media to the governor, Afegbua’s contributions so far in managing the image of the Comrade Governor and the people of Edo state at large is legendary. He is simply doing what he knows how to do best; to suppress the critics of Oshiomhole and his administration. His vehement press release on national dailies attests to this claim. Afegbua is not one of those who talks illogically on issues. Whenever he writes or talks, he would bring out the logical foundation of the discourse under reference. This is one of the interesting aspects of Prince Kassim Afegbua. That is why any government in power both at federal and state levels will like to appoint him as either a media spokesman, special adviser or a media consultant. But Afegbua does not see that as a requisite for accepting to work with any individual except according to him if such an individual has the capabilities, abilities and skills to lead others for positive results which justify his reason for the admiration of IBB and Adams Oshiomhole. Afegbua is, undoubtedly, a brilliant and an unassuming politician.

    Prince Kassim Afegbua is an intellectual, a sage and a prolific writer to the core. His sophistication as a writer was evident in his former Saturday’s column, Stomach Democracy with Vanguard newspaper where he writes to educate, inform and question the moral status of those in government. In his column, there was never a time that Afegbua would not talk about corruption and the acquisitive and extravagant mentality of our leaders. He would always wonder aloud why there is corruption in the country and in one of his writings, he asked philosophically; “why is everything we do in Nigeria has a corruptive undertone; fiscal responsibility, appointments and general lifestyle”? He would further enquire; “who is that man that will fight corruption”? Afegbua is not one of those Nigerians who will either indulge or encourage you to partake in an illicit or corruptive act. Never! Despite his connection as it has always been with politicians, he would always encourage me and others around him that we should always do the right thing by following due process in whatever we wish to engage ourselves because he would not see himself influencing anything to our own advantage when others are showcasing their skills and talents. This is part of Afegbua’s moral position over the years which many Nigerians should emulate. He does not believe in deceptive practices which have become for most people, the common ways of surviving which in turn breeds corruption.

    Another significant aspect of Afegbua’s life is that he is a benevolent man and as well, a generous giver. He believes in law of Almighty God that we should give out to others what they do not have. With his little resource, Afegbua has helped many people educationally and financially within his family circle and outsiders and I do believe that he shall continue to help because that is part of his magnanimous nature. Again, the gesture and goodwill he demonstrates to people around him is rare. He is a wonderful brother and a man to reckon with and I am proud to have Prince Kassim Afegbua as a brother.

    As he marks his 44th birthday, it is my prayers that God Almighty will continue to protect, enhance, prolong and promote him to a higher level in life, (Amen). Happy Birthday Sir!