Bamidele Eleniola and Osesusi Bukola
Secondary school students have been advised to be more serious with their studies as this is one of the ways to be great in life.
More importantly, the students were urged to shun social vices including cultism, prostitution, drug addiction among others as these are capable of destroying their lives.
Giving this admonition was a communication scholar and Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Chika Asogwa while inaugurating the Oye Egbo High School Press Club.
Prof. Asogwa who told the students to embrace effective communication and become responsible communicators asserted that serious reading has a way of impacting students positively and increase their intellectual depths.
Professor Asogwa described the Future Communicators Club initiative as part of the Faculty's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aimed at giving back to society by promoting communication and media education among secondary school students.She explained that the initiative would enable the Oye community to experience the positive impact of the university at the secondary school level and revealed that the outreach programme would be extended to other schools within Oye and its surrounding communities.
“This is the second secondary school we have visited. Our first visit was to Saint Augustine’s Secondary School, Oye-Ekiti, and today we are at Oye Egbo High School. We are hopeful of reaching many more schools as we continue this initiative to help them communicate well.
“The idea is to catch them young,” the Dean said, stressing the importance of introducing students to communication skills and media education early in life.
The Professor of Mass Communication noted that communication remains one of the most essential aspects of everyday life and explained that the establishment of the Future Communicators Club would expose students to effective communication, public speaking, news writing, reporting, broadcasting, photography, editing, and other media-related skills.
The Dean encouraged the students to participate actively in the club’s activities, emphasizing that the knowledge and experience they would gain would help build confidence, creativity, leadership, critical thinking, and professionalism.
She also commended the management of Oye Egbo High School for embracing the initiative and reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to supporting young people in developing the skills needed to become future journalists, broadcasters, and communication professionals.
Delivering her welcome address earlier, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Onafete Evelyn O., warmly welcomed the Dean, members of the university community, invited guests, staff, and students at the historic event.
Speaking through her lieutenant in charge of administration, Mr. Adedeji Abiodun, she described the Dean’s presence as a great honour and a source of encouragement to both staff and students, noting that it reflected the university’s commitment to promoting education, effective communication, and youth development.
According to her, the establishment of the School Press Club marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Oye Egbo High School. She expressed confidence that the club would nurture young writers, broadcasters, photographers, editors, and future media professionals while instilling discipline, critical thinking, ethical reporting, teamwork, and a passion for truth and excellence.
The Principal further stated that the inauguration would inspire students to become responsible communicators who would make use of the media to educate, inform, inspire, and positively influence society. She concluded by expressing appreciation to the Dean and her entourage for honouring the school’s invitation and wished them a pleasant and memorable stay.
Delivering her paper on the topic, “The Power of Effective Communication and the Responsible Use of Social Media,” Dr. Ndidi Ibenyenwa told the young aspiring communicators that, through the activities of the Future Communicators Club, pupils could learn how to speak with confidence, listen with empathy, think critically, and communicate with integrity.
She said they would learn how to use their words to build and not destroy, to heal and not harm, because communication is the vehicle of social transformation.
According to her, communication goes beyond merely speaking well; it includes speaking the truth, respecting people in our words, and verifying facts before sharing information.
“We’re in an age where information spreads rapidly. Therefore, society needs responsible communicators who are honest and courageous,” she said.
Dr. Ndidi, an academic staff in the faculty, further advised the pupils to use social media in beneficial ways rather than in ways that could harm them.
“Do not allow social media to truncate your vision. Create time to read and remain focused on your education,” she admonished.
The Chairperson of the Community and Media Relations Committee, Mrs. Omolola Oluwasola, also invited students of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies to interact with the young communicators by sharing the reasons they chose to study Mass Communication and their experiences in the field, with the aim of guiding and inspiring the secondary school students in making informed career choices.
The ceremony concluded with the official inauguration of the School Press Club, signalling the beginning of a new era of media education, leadership development, and responsible communication among students of Oye Egbo High School. As part of the event, the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies distributed books, biros, identification tags, and other valuable educational materials to the students to support their learning and encourage their active participation in the newly inaugurated club.
The school’s cultural troupe thrilled guests with a captivating display during the Press Club inauguration ceremony, showcasing the richness of the institution’s cultural heritage through music, dance, and traditional performances.
Members of the Faculty’s delegation included: HOD, Mass Communication, Dr. Charity Ben-Enukora; Dr. Ndidi Ibenyenwa; Mrs. Grace Onipede; Mrs. Okechukwu Ifunnaya; Mr. Femi Odunewu; Miss Tomilayo Lala; and Miss Comfort Babalola.
Photo credit: Bamidele Eleniola
