*NIJ Organises Retreat, Training for Faculty Members
The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Lagos, last week boosted its academic excellence with retreat and training programmes for its academic staff. It was aimed at enhancing teaching skills and industry relevance.
The four-day programmes featured multiple plenary sessions, comprising lectures and interactive train-the-trainer segments, providing quality learning and skill development opportunities for participants.
Part of the discussions at the retreat was on Solution Journalism (SOJO) reporting, ably facilitated by Mrs. Maureen Popoola, HOD, General Studies and Mr. Camillus Ezenwa and Mr. Tony Oligbo from Mass Communication department.
“Solution Journalism involves rigorous, evidence-based reporting on social problems response. It is built on four key pillars: Response (existing solutions), Evidence (data-driven results), Insight (contextual understanding), and Limitations (acknowledging challenges), ensuring comprehensive and impactful storytelling” Popoola stated.https://youtu.be/4gYVsGiS008?si=X9n6Kbo9WS39TKPw
The train-the-trainer editing workshop was facilitated by Mr. Adekunle Adekoya, Deputy Editor, Vanguard Newspapers for all print Technologists and lecturers in the institution.
Following intensive hands-on exercises on newspaper and magazine page planning and layout, the facilitator noted significant improvement in participants’ skills and expressed satisfaction with their performance, demonstrating enhanced understanding and practical application.
“although you all performed well but you still need to devote more personal time to practice. Your proficiency cannot be manifested in one day, but with constant practice, you’ll surely get there” Adekoya said
At the retreat, the Provost Mr Gbenga Adefaye shared update on the institution’s growth. He announced that the institution will be mounting two additional Higher National Diploma (HND) courses: Journalism and Strategic Communication Studies in line with the unbundling of the Mass Communication in Polytechnic and other allied institutions.
- He also informed that the management is looking into the issue of staff welfare renumeration.
In the same vein, Dr. Boye Ola, Deputy Provost emphasised the importance of academic staff members being steadfast in their roles as lecturers while also contributing to the institution’s policy development.
He stressed that “adherence to school rules by students should be a collective priority, urging everyone to ensure strict compliance”.
