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The vice-chancellor of Babcock University (BU), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Ademola Tayo, has advised journalists in the country to uphold the tenets of the profession and remain men and women of integrity.
Prof. Tayo, who spoke at the dinner with the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), acknowledged that media professionals play a critical role in the development of the nation.
The VC also revealed the outstanding performance of its Law graduates at this year’s Nigerian Law School Bar exams with six First classes.
Tayo charged journalists as professionals to stand up to the challenge of the times and immense responsibility on their shoulders.
He noted: “In spite of threats from political manipulators and infiltrators in the ranks ready to exchange professionalism for mediocrity, continue to uphold the tenets of truth, objectivity and integrity which are the Hallmark of great journalism.”
He acknowledged that the country is faced with a number of socio-political and cultural challenges that are exacerbated by fake and inaccurate information, as well as weak economy.
The Babcock VC said unfortunately, efforts to promote factual and accurate information necessary for development are hardly achieving the desired results.
“Media practitioners have to be very careful and take seriously the issue of disinformation or fake news, or projecting information picked from online sources as credible without verification.
“Otherwise, responsible journalism faces the risk of being drowned out by the cacophony of disinformation, “ he stressed.
Prof. Tayo said in spite of the critical role journalists play, ‘’we know that these are not easy times for the press globally. From Palestine to Syria and Ukraine, the story is the same, blood, hate and wars. Yet, the world expects you to present a balanced story, analysing events and set the agenda for public discourse both on and offline. ‘’Undoubtedly, in the course of reporting behind the firing lines, you and sometimes, family members have faced life-threatening situations. I bet you have more than enough stories to share on these challenges today.’’
He reminded media practitioners that as the political campaign is on for the election in February and March next year, .hey must facilitate political discourse, foster transparency and information sharing, and serve as an effective forum for public debate.
The VC said BU produced six First Class students from the just concluded Nigerian Law School Bar Exams. He explained Babcock had the highest amongst private universities in Nigeria and this represents 6 per cent of the 99 students who took the exams, adding, “this makes the university 4th best overall in terms of pass percentage.”
He disclosed that the university has an existing collaboration with a number of local and foreign organisations and institutions of higher learning.
Tayo said Babcock University is about to join the league of global institutions to replace butane with methane biogas as cooking fuel as it puts the finishing touches on the biogas project.
“The second phase is to connect the pipes from the sewage to its level. The affluence from the breakdown of the bio-digester will be used as fertilizer while the gas will be used for cooking.
“This project will be one of the biggest energy savers and wealth creation strategies for the University. It is in line with the UN sustainable development goals, ‘’ he stated.
Similarly, the VC said the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria recently approved an upgrade of Nursing student enrolment to 150.
He added that BU has 44 accredited undergraduate programmes and six are from the two new school of Environmental Sciences and School of Engineering.
The VC said recently, its teaching hospital recorded its first successful bilateral total knee replacement surgery on a 65year old female patient.
Prof. Tayo explained that the woman had severe knee osteoarthritis on both legs, stating, by God’s grace, the surgeries were successful and the patient discharged.”
