Former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, on Monday urged Mass Communication students at the Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun state ‘to always be guided by their conscience in whatever they do as prospective media practitioners’.
He emphasized the need for the students to imbibe and champion the professional ethics and reflect same in their formal and informal conducts as watchdogs and agenda setters, saying such remains the only surest legitimate pathway to prosperity in the media profession.
Omipidan, who was one of the guest speakers at the colloquium organized by the Redeemer’s University Mass Communication Students Association (RUMSA), said the study and practice of Mass Communication must be seen as a clarion call to duty in view of its sensitivity and importance to socioeconomic and political developments of any society.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the Colloquium had as its theme ‘Gown to Town: Preparing for the Industry, Unlocking the potential’.
Omipidan urged the students to start preparing for the challenges ahead in the labour market, noting that this could only be overcome “if one equips himself or herself with necessary knowledge and skills required of the profession before he or she starts practicing’.
He, advised the students to develop their writing skills, reading skills and analytical skills as requirements to attain success in media practice, especially journalism.
Omipidan emphasized that professional tenets are cardinal principles that must not be compromised by media practitioners, noting that for anyone to be a successful professional, he or she must see himself or herself as mirror through which the society sees in clear terms.
He averred that the media profession particularly print journalism requires requisite skills of good writing, reading, courageousness, self-confidence and above all integrity to thrive, hence, the need for the students to imbibe all these skills and values right from school.
While commending the students for choosing to study Mass Communication in the citadel of knowledge, Omipidan noted that taking a decision to become media practitioners must be accompanied and complemented with character and integrity to impact the world and make a much-desired change.
Omipidan, a former Political Editor of The Sun Newspaper, submitted that journalism remains a noble profession which thrives on integrity and character.
Explaining the circumstances that kept him in close contact with Vice President Kashim Shettima and his principal, former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Omipidan said “if your primary intention is to make money, then, journalism is not your calling. That doesn’t say that you can’t make wealth, but you must first of all make a name.
It is your name that will bring you money and fame. And in the course of your job, try to make friendship to further harness your potential”, Omipidan added.
The Sun Newspaper’s former political editor, further said ‘Journalism is a profession recognized by the Constitution and it is the only profession that has the responsibility to hold government and people in positions of authority accountable.
The profession gives you fame and opens doors that no other profession can open. You have access to these doors because of your relationship with the high and the mighty in the course of doing your job.
If nation-building and service to the people are your passion, you are a good candidate for the journalism profession.
One of the things you must learn as prospective media professionals is that you must be courageous. If you go for an interview, please don’t sit unless you are offered a seat because most times a test may be put to you to know your mannerism.
If you want to be a print journalist, by now you must be a good writer, if you are not, then, you have no business in print journalism. Is unlike broadcast journalism where if you can’t write, you can be a presenter or do voiceover.
And you can’t be a good writer if you don’t read. You must learn how to read very well. Read what others have written in order to sharpen your skills’ Omipidan said-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
