The Department of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik), Awka, has formally ushered in a new academic cohort, inducting 620 students during a high profile Induction and Orientation Ceremony held within the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The event served as a significant gathering of media practitioners and academic leaders, signalling a robust start for the freshers. Among the notable dignitaries in attendance were Professor Allen Adum, Head of the Mass Communication Department, and Dr Emeka Odogwu, the Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Joining them were prominent industry stakeholders, including Oscar Azolibe, Founder of Apex Tech; Dr Nzube Ekebosi, CEO of Reliable Homes; and Peter Emeneh Esq., Deputy Chairman of Anaocha Local Government Council, all providing a professional backdrop to the academic rite of passage.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Ify Aronu, a United Nations Inter Agency Representative, who spoke extensively on the theme, “The Power of the Media, The Influence of Voice.” Her message centred on the evolution of the industry and the necessity of personal branding.
Dr Aronu challenged the inductees to look beyond technical media proficiency and focus on cultivating a marketable, transformative presence. She emphasised that while the media serves as a broadcast tool, it is the individual "voice" that possesses the true power to influence and transform society.
Reflecting on her 13 year career since graduation, Aronu noted that the success of global media platforms often hinges on the distinctiveness of their talent. She urged the 620 students to aim for substance over mere visibility, reminding them that the "influence of voice" begins with personal character and value.
The ceremony concluded with a call to action for the new students to "think possible," as they begin their journey in a field where the quality of the messenger is now considered as vital as the medium itself.
