The Certificate in Media Enterprise programme (CME) is designed for media practitioners to equip them with entrepreneurial spirit as well as enhance their managerial skills so that they can effectively manage the growth of their businesses. On the 3rd of June 2009, the CME -5 class embarked on an excursion to visit two media companies and the Pan-African University campus which is located at Ajah.

Due to the fact that the class is made up of media practitioners as well as entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, the Africa Business News Nigeria Ltd (the operating company for CNBC Africa in Nigeria), the Silverbird Television as well as the Rhythm station 93.7 fm were chosen for the outing. The aim of the trip was to enable the participants have a first hand knowledge of the operations of a broadcast station  as well as get them to visit the Pan-African University campus at Ajah.

The group’s first port of call visited the Africa Business News Nigeria Ltd. This is the operating company for CNBC Africa in Nigeria. CNBC Africa is the continent’s first 24 hour international business channel. Located in the Victoria Island area of Lagos state, CNBC delivers real-time analysis of Africa’s financial markets and business news.

The class was received by Mr. Frederic Van de vyver – the Head of CNBC, for West Africa. He explained the workings of CNBC; the channel’s mission and vision; the challenges it faces as well as its plans for the future. The impressive facility tour of CNBC ended at 10.45 am with the vote of thanks given by the President of the CME-5 class, Mr. Kelechi Samuel.

From CNBC Africa, the team headed for Silverbird Communications Ltd located in Lekki, Lagos. The group was received by a guide on the facility tour – first to the radio station popularly known as Rhythm 93.7Fm – and then to the studios of Silverbird Television (STV) known for its outstanding programme content. The class left Silverbird Communications Ltd for the Pan-African University in Ajah, Lekki campus.

On arrival at the campus, the Director of Executive Education, Dr. Mike Okolo took participants round the campus explaining the different aspects of the facility. This was followed by an incisive discussion session with Dr. Doyin Salami, a faculty of the Lagos Business School.

Throughout his discussion entitled “Media and National Economic growth”, Dr Salami stressed the need for regulatory rules to be enforced if Nigeria was to make any reasonable economic progress. And the media, he said, could play a key role in raising awareness on the issues at stake.

The excursion ended with a sumptuous lunch at the Pan-African University cafeteria at 1.45 pm.