On Tuesday, September 13,  2011 a Memorandum of Understanding  was signed between the School of Media and Communication (SMC), Pan-African University, Lagos, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. The memorandum involves the establishment of a centre to be called Centre for Leadership in Journalism (CLEJ) to help in capacity building and leadership training for journalists.  The Centre will work hand in hand with the industry to improve the professional fortunes of journalism in Nigeria and will award two fellowships to two journalists yearly. 

The president of the guild, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, stated that the MoU has risen out of a need to bridge the gap and failings in the professional, leadership and ethical practice within the media. According to him, there is need for regular interaction between the school and the industry and that in order to improve the industry, a cross-disciplinary arrangement is necessary to train leaders in the media industry.

The Dean of SMC, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, remarked that the MoU is an initiative of the NGE that was presented to the University. He noted that the school, through some of its existing courses, was already providing the needed quality professional training and ethical formation for the media and the initiative made by the NGE will further consolidate on that solid foundation. In this direction, Prof. Biakolo  observed that there was a need to design bespoke programmes that will address the needs of different groups within the journalism and media profession.

He noted that the “media in Nigeria is in a state of difficulty largely because of the ethical dimensions of the problem. Journalism has become a byword for corruption and ineptitude in our country”. And because of this, there is a need for a house cleaning which would begin with the leadership, editors and management of media houses.

In his remarks, a former vice-chancellor of Pan-African University, Prof. Albert Alos stated that the signing of the memorandum was consistent with the vision of the founding fathers of the SMC who in 1997 established the School to serve as partner with industry for the enhancement of professional ethics, integrity and quality service in accordance with international best practices. He therefore called for the sustenance of the relationship between the SMC and the NGE and hoped that it will be rewarding and productive.

The event was anchored by Mr. Richard Ikiebe, a Senior Fellow at the SMC with a long and rich experience in media studies and consultancy. According to him, the signing of the memorandum is happening at the right moment when the National Universities Commission (NUC) is about to approve the commencement of postgraduate diploma programmes, especially the one in journalism, for the School. He called on the Nigerian media community to leverage on the opportunity of the PGD in Journalism as a way of shoring up professional competence.

The memorandum was signed in the presence of members of the guild, journalists, members of the SMC faculty and the alumni association. Those present include Mrs. Durodola Funke-Treasure (Vice President SMCAA), Mr.Peter Nwaochei (Member Executive Council SMCAA), Dr. James Tsaaior (Head, Mass Media and Writing Department, SMC), Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye, Mr. Vincent Ameh (Academic director SMC) and Mr. Steve Nwosu. Daniel Obi (Business day)

Click to download details of the MoU