The Ag. Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Dr. M. A. Adedimeji, has urged Nigerian journalists to eschew sensationalism in their reporting to  promote peace and enhance conflict resolution in the country. 

Dr. Adedimeji stated this while delivering a lecture at the First Press Week of the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ), University of Ilorin Chapter.

The don, who is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English in the University, said that in these days of globalisation and rapid international flows of people and ideas, having a viable nation remains synonymous with achieving modernity.

In his lecture, entitled “The Role of Journalism in Nation-building and Conflict Resolution”, Dr. Adedimeji said, “Journalism is about building the institutions and values which sustain the collective community in these modern times.”

The immediate past Deputy Director Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin,  described nation-building as “a process of constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state structured on a broad process aiming at the unification of the people within the state so that it remains politically stable and viable to foster social harmony and economic growth.”

Dr. Adedimeji noted that the role of the journalists is that of the integration of modern life and provision of  oxygen to democracy, adding that “nation-building is about building the tangible and intangible threads that hold a political entity together and giving people a sense of purpose.”

The Guest Speaker, who noted that one of the challenges of the modern world is communication problem, expressed the belief that this could be solved if journalists engage in better communication. He said, “Ineffective communication leads to conflict.”

 The don pointed out that no amount of time, effort or money spent on achieving better communication is too much, adding that communication does not break down but it is the facilitators of communication like machines or individuals that break down.

Dr. Adedimeji, who canvassed a communication model that will build goodwill, better friendships and be beneficial to all concerned, said that the study of journalism brings about effective messages. He said, “To communicate effectively is to promote peace and to communicate ineffectively is to encourage conflict.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, the Registrar of the University of Ilorin,  Mr. E. D. Obafemi, thanked the Union for making the University proud.

Mr. Obafemi, however, cautioned the campus journalists to follow the rules of the profession in order to achieve success.

In his own remarks, the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academic), Prof. R. A. Lawal, who is the Patron of the Union, acknowledged the success recorded by UCJ and enjoined them to continue to carry the banner of the University.

Highlights of the occasion included presentation of Awards to Dr. Emmanuel Ogah Edeo, the Chief Executive Officer of Cymmy Associate; the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academic),  Prof. Lawal; the Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Dr. Adedimeji; the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, Mallam Abiodun Abdulkareem and some members of the Union.