₦airaland Forum

NUC Finally Phases Out Mass Communication Degree! To Begin Admission Into Seven New Communication Departments This Year
This could be described as breaking news especially to those who have a degree in Mass Communication, or currently studying to get this degree, or you have friends who have something to do with this degree in Nigeria. The era of having Mass Communication as a degree programme in Nigerian universities is now officially over.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) says it has unbundled Mass Communication into seven separate degree programmes to meet present demand and this takes effect from 2020 admissions into Nigerian universities.
In a chat with journalists in Abuja, NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said Mass Communication has been unbundled into Media Studies, Public Relation Studies, Cinematography, among others.
Recall that professors, professionals and practitioners of communication in Nigeria had presented new communication curricula to National Universities Commission (NUC) seeking the unbundling of mass communication into seven departments. The NUC had approved the Curriculum which resulted in the emergence of seven degree-awarding programmes and the phasing out of the single BSc/BA Degree Programme in Mass Communication currently offered in different Faculties in different universities.
The seven new Programmes/Departments, to be domiciled in a Faculty / School / College of Communication and Media Studies are: Journalism & Media Studies, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Film & Multi-Media Studies, Development Communication Studies, Information & Media Studies.
Here are the seven new degree programmes replacing Mass Communication. If you have someone interested in enrolling into any mass communication related discipline just take a look at these seven new degrees and prepare the person effectively for any of them.
*Journalism & Media Studies*
This is one of the most popular degrees in mass communication schools across the world. It is more all-encompassing than many other degrees. This is why it is among the most sought-after degrees by candidates who wish to gain broad knowledge of activities and emerging trends in journalism and media world.
This degree course is aimed at students who wish to study Journalism and Media. Media studies programmes take an integrated approach and a broader look at media in all its forms. It is all-inclusive programme which equips candidates with relevant knowledge in print and broadcast journalism, digital journalism, media practice, public relations, and the history, development and ethics of journalism. The primary focus of this course is on balancing practical and academic aspects.
Journalism and Media studies education explores all forms of media, from print to film to digital communications. The programme focuses on mass communication and its effects on the public.
Media studies degree programmes are usually interdisciplinary in nature. It explores all media forms and their impact on society. Many schools have specific media studies departments while others may offer the programmes through their journalism or mass communications departments. However, the recommendation by Nigerian professors and professionals is to have a degree on Journalism and Media Studies, not to have two separate degree courses.
Journalism and Media degree equips you with a range of interests including advertising, media law and regulation, privacy, digital journalism, broadcast journalism, professional writing, comics, visual culture, live television and media events, gaming and virtual worlds, and hypertexts, film and video, multimedia, global media systems, virtual landscapes, social networks, interactive television, media and representation, cult TV, computer games and documentary.
Bachelor’s degree programme in Journalism and Media Studies is aimed at students interested in the broad range of media, and media theories, the ways in which the media were shaped and the impact they have on culture and society. Some programs may offer a focus, such as film studies or mass communication, but most take a broad approach to cover all areas, including film, television, print and digital communication. The course topics you would find in this programme would include journalism, History of media, Legal issues in communications, Ethics and journalism, Critical approaches to media, Visual culture, New media, among others.
Graduates of a media studies bachelor’s degree programmes are prepared for both traditional and non-traditional media careers. That is why this programme is very lucrative and well-sought-after. Some graduates find work as news journalists, film editors and communication specialists. Other job titles might include Public relations specialist, Advertising account manager, Marketing analyst, Newsroom coordinator, Broadcast journalist, Photojournalist, and a range of other exciting career options. This is definitely a course you would like to study in any Nigerian institution.
*Public Relations*
Public relations is one of the most sought-after programmes in media and communication training schools in Nigeria across the world. Many Nigerian graduates want to major in public relations primarily due to the exciting, prestigious and lucrative nature of this discipline. Even graduates without a background in communication can major in public relations with basic training in this discipline. People who have written and verbal communications skills needed to be spokespeople for various organizations, have skills for coordinating special events and fundraising campaigns, who have knowledge of how to run a political campaigns, and basic social media management skills, excel as public relations executives within and outside Nigeria. The field of public relations is rapidly evolving.
The basic focus of this course is to develop the skills needed to help people and organizations strategically connect with each other. The programme trains candidates to become public relations professionals capable of adapting to the new ways people consume content, communicate, and connect. The core courses will emphasize, among others, promotions, publicity, community affairs, internal relations, writing, and special events planning, principles of public relations, public relations techniques, campaign and event planning, media relations, interface between social media and public relations, and international public relations. This is among the courses relevant in a dynamic and evolving society.
*Advertising*
Advertising is another very popular discipline which most people want to venture into. A degree in this field is a ticket to lucrative, creative career path in Nigeria and other parts of the world. While you don’t necessarily need a degree to get into this field, a successful career in advertising usually begins with a comprehensive undergraduate education. This is a broad field, comprised of creative and business professionals who share one main goal: to motivate customers to buy products or services. The primary focus of this course is to equip candidates with requisite skills with which they can successfully motivate customers to buy products or services. The programme explores methods for learning what customers want and how to develop advertising campaigns that reach and persuade those populations.
Advertising degree programme would provide a foundation in the creative, management, interpersonal and analytical skills required to work in a dynamic and sophisticated corporate world. Coursework focuses on critical thinking, effective communication, writing, editing, and visualizing ideas and incorporates elements of social science research, statistics, multicultural studies, and visual design. It will include areas in business, consumer behaviour and media combined with classes in copywriting and photography which prepares students to develop effective ad campaigns while employed at agencies around the country. Other focus areas are advertising strategies, effective advertising sales, media planning, copywriting and visual design of ads, retail advertising, ethics and law in advertising.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting relates to distributing audio-visual content to mass audiences via electronic media such as radio, television and webcasting. Whether you are listening to Political Voices on Dream FM, watching an English Premier League (EPL) analysis on Channels TV or streaming a podcast on Nigeria Info FM, content is being broadcast to you.
The main focus of this course is to engage students in different activities and to hone their skills in radio and television broadcasting. This includes depth knowledge of broadcast journalism and new media interplay in the broadcast world.
Students will be equipped with appropriate skills and knowledge in broadcasting and script writing. The programme would produce good script writers and broadcasters who can compete with graduates from other parts of the world. The course would strengthen ethical values on responsible journalism/broadcast media, enhance skills and competences in script writing, announcing, performance, and other areas in broadcasting.
*Film & Multimedia Studies*
This is a highly technical but very exciting programme which is very popular in higher institutions across the world. Film and Media Studies Degree programme incorporates courses in film history, aesthetics, and theory; theory and practice in television, popular culture, and new media; and all aspects of 16mm film and digital video production, including narrative, documentary, animated, and experimental film. Students learn the theory, history, and practice of filmmaking and media. Graduates are equipped with relevant skills to adapt to the evolving movies industry in Nigeria, including media practice and business.
If you’re interested in enrolling in this programme you will be prepared with requisite skills to work in the film and media industries after graduation. Those who acquire this degree could have thriving careers as directors, screenwriters, producers, editors, actors, cinematographers, financial and marketing executives, film scholars and curators, entertainment lawyers, agents, digital technicians, and web designers.
The Film and Media Studies programme introduces students to artistic and academic approaches to films and new media. It also provides opportunity for students to make their own films, analyze films from aesthetic, political, social and historical perspectives, and employ their media skills in the contexts of industry, creative production and civic engagement. You will understand and engage diverse concerns and obligations of filmmakers in contemporary local and global contexts. You will be equipped with knowledge of the local and international environment of filmmaking and media.
You will come across introductory and advanced courses in film studies, fiction filmmaking, documentary filmmaking, video editing, cinematography, media studies, screenwriting and directing, film theory, film curating studies, new modes in documentary film, directing actors and non-actors for film and TV, narrating filmmaking workshop, Television theory, study of movie industries (Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood, etc.), Film criticism, among others.
If you wish to pursue a career in filmmaking, film and media then this is the most relevant programme for you.
*Development Communication Studies*
Higher institutions in Nigeria will be among the few places you can get a bachelors degree in Development Communication. What a rare opportunity. Check everywhere, you would notice that this programme is done at the postgraduate level in most schools.
Development Communication Studies is one of the ‘hot’ programmes that will replace mass communication degree in Nigeria. This is definitely a hotcake. The reason is that private and public organizations and governments have since realized the increasing demand for the public to be included in development decisions. Even the corporate private sector in Nigeria and other parts of the world is aware that doing business in any society entails communicating its investment in development. This requires highly skilled development communicator who would employ participatory communication techniques, critical thinking and ability to evaluate outcomes within a structural framework to ensure achievement of development goals in a favourable environment.
Courses in Development Communication Studies proggramme will focus on such areas as participatory communication, behavioural change and social development, development communication theory, use of the mass and social media to disseminate information and encourage participation, development communication in Nigeria and other parts of the world, development media environment and media channels, Overview of commercial and community media for development, evaluating development communication tools, publishing to communicate development, writing features and profiles, communication strategy for development, assessing development communication system, civil society and advocacy in development communication, development journalism theory and practice, writing development case studies, broadcasting and development communication, new media and development communication, among others. If you want to have a career in development communication, this is the best course for you.
*Information & Media Studies*
Information and Media Studies programme recognizes the importance of connecting media theory learned in the classroom to real-world experiences. Most universities already offering this course have it as Information Science and Media Studies degree programme. It is a programme designed to provide a synergy between the study of information as a science and mediated communication as a practice. The programme draws on advances in information technology and its applications in mass media and media studies.
Media studies is a discipline and field of study that deals with the content, history, and effects of various media, particularly the mass media. Media studies programmes take an integrated approach and a broader look at media in all its forms. It is all-inclusive programme which equips candidates with relevant knowledge in print and broadcast journalism, digital journalism, media practice, public relations, and the history, development and ethics of journalism. Just like Journalism and Media Studies degree, the primary focus of this Information and Media Studies course is on balancing practical and academic aspects.
Information and Media Studies degree programme is not new to Nigerian higher education system, as some private Universities are already offering it to candidates. The programme emphasizes the need to facilitate, through adequate theoretical and practical training, the emergence of competent professionals in the area of design, production, implementation and administration of digital media systems and information science.
Conventional communication principles and practices would be taught to students in addition to foundational concepts in information technology and design to specialized skills required for industry-standard creative digital design and production. At the end, students would be equipped with appropriate skills excel in careers in any of these very lucrative and sought-after areas: computer software programming; web and mobile applications development; online broadcast design; audio-visual production including sound and visual effects; animation and games for entertainment, advertisement and various forms of instructional content; social network analysis, among others. In today’s sophisticated ICT-driven world, this appears to be among the most relevant of the degrees to that will replace mass communication degree.
MassMediaNG © 2020

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
WE’LL POSITION UNIVERSITIES TO PRODUCE QUALITY GRADUATES– PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said Federal Government will give more attention to improving personnel and infrastructure of universities to produce quality graduates, assuring that education will, henceforth, be a top priority in development goals of the country.
President Buhari, who received leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led by Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi at the State House, said effective and efficient operations of universities will go a long way in improving the economy, especially with focus on science and technology.
The President urged members of ASUU to assist the Federal Government in realising the target of improved education and credible certificates by complying with ongoing verification and validation of human resources in the universities, which will guarantee optimum output.
“The future of the country depends on quality education and our certificates must be credible to inspire confidence,’’ he said.
President Buhari said constitutional provisions should be carefully studied and adhered to for more harmonious relationships, and standards that will promote efficiency.
The President directed the Ministry of Education to put in more effort in ensuring that Nigerian universities are properly funded, with adequate infrastructure and staffing.
In her remarks at the meeting, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said out of the 137,016 academic and non-academic staff members of the universities, 96,090 have been enrolled in the Integrated Payment and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), urging ASUU to encourage the remaining 40,926 members to comply with the process.
She said a desk has been opened in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for registration of university staff, assuring that peculiarities of the tertiary institutions will be accommodated.
The Minister pointed out that many anomalies were discovered in the university structures that have contributed to the increased cost burden, which include staff working and earning pay in more than one university, contract staff on payroll of the government, tax reductions on PAYEE and multiple employments.
Ahmed said some universities had rushed to recruit more staff before the IPPIS registration commenced, which was then detected.
“While it is clear that ASUU has peculiarities, it should be recognised and rightly accommodated, and the allowances will be made, and not leaving the university out of IPPIS because of the peculiarities,’’ she added.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, urged ASUU to comply with IPPIS in national interest as his office was already in the process of streamlining all issues of human resources in government.
In his remarks, the President of ASUU, Prof. Ogunyemi said the educational sector needed more Federal Government attention, noting that implementation of agreements over the years will go a long way in improving the quality of education in the universities.
Prof. Ogunyemi said:
“Nigerian universities can make meaningful contributions to addressing the challenges of the country (economy, security and corruption) if given the opportunities. Appropriate funding level, competitive conditions of service, university autonomy and academic freedom are critical to creating such an atmosphere.
“With adequate and effective education, particularly university education, Nigerians will be less susceptible to manipulation, our economy will grow and problems of insecurity and corruption will be drastically reduced,’’ he said.
The ASUU President said Nigeria could learn from countries like China, Malaysia and Singapore that have encouraged universities to drive their educational development through tripartite linkages of government, industries and universities called Triple Helix Principle.
On IPPIS and university operations, Prof. Ogunyemi said the Federal Government’s Visitor initiative to the universities, at least once in five years, was the best guarantee for monitoring accountability processes that include internal and external audit processes.
The ASUU President said the IPPIS will be a “disruptive intrusion’’, adding: “IPPIS violates the laws of the federation, violates university statutes, and violates agreements between the Federal Government and ASUU.’’
“The Government should welcome ASUU’s ongoing innovation of a robust system of human resource management and compensation, called the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, which will address peculiarities of universities and end inappropriate recruitments.’’
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and Labour and Employment , Dr Chris Ngige, assured that the Federal Government was committed to improving the educational sector, promising to work closely with ASUU.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 9, 2020

*Mavchamp* Reporting

FULL TEXT OF DONALD TRUMP'S SPEECH ON IRAN
08/01/2020
As long as I am President of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
Good morning. I'm pleased to inform you: The American people should be extremely grateful and happy no Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties, all of our soldiers are safe, and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases.
Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.
No American or Iraqi lives were lost because of the precautions taken, the dispersal of forces, and an early warning system that worked very well. I salute the incredible skill and courage of America’s men and women in uniform.
For far too long -- all the way back to 1979, to be exact -- nations have tolerated Iran’s destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond. Those days are over. Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism, and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We will never let that happen.
Last week, we took decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist from threatening American lives. At my direction, the United States military eliminated the world’s top terrorist, Qasem Soleimani. As the head of the Quds Force, Soleimani was personally responsible for some of the absolutely worst atrocities.
He trained terrorist armies, including Hezbollah, launching terrorist strikes against civilian targets. He fueled bloody civil wars all across the region. He viciously wounded and murdered thousands of U.S. troops, including the planting of roadside bombs that maim and dismember their victims.
Soleimani directed the recent attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq that badly wounded four service members and killed one American, and he orchestrated the violent assault on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. In recent days, he was planning new attacks on American targets, but we stopped him.
Soleimani’s hands were drenched in both American and Iranian blood. He should have been terminated long ago. By removing Soleimani, we have sent a powerful message to terrorists: If you value your own life, you will not threaten the lives of our people.
As we continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression, the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior.
In recent months alone, Iran has seized ships in international waters, fired an unprovoked strike on Saudi Arabia, and shot down two U.S. drones.
Iran’s hostilities substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013, and they were given $150 billion, not to mention $1.8 billion in cash. Instead of saying "thank you" to the United States, they chanted "death to America." In fact, they chanted "death to America" the day the agreement was signed.
Then, Iran went on a terror spree, funded by the money from the deal, and created hell in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration. The regime also greatly tightened the reins on their own country, even recently killing 1,500 people at the many protests that are taking place all throughout Iran.
The very defective JCPOA expires shortly anyway, and gives Iran a clear and quick path to nuclear breakout. Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism. The time has come for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China to recognize this reality.
They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal -– or JCPOA –- and we must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place. We must also make a deal that allows Iran to thrive and prosper, and take advantage of its enormous untapped potential. Iran can be a great country.
Peace and stability cannot prevail in the Middle East as long as Iran continues to foment violence, unrest, hatred, and war. The civilized world must send a clear and unified message to the Iranian regime: Your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer. It will not be allowed to go forward.
Today, I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process. Over the last three years, under my leadership, our economy is stronger than ever before and America has achieved energy independence. These historic accompliments [accomplishments] changed our strategic priorities. These are accomplishments that nobody thought were possible. And options in the Middle East became available. We are now the number-one producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world. We are independent, and we do not need Middle East oil.
The American military has been completely rebuilt under my administration, at a cost of $2.5 trillion. U.S. Armed Forces are stronger than ever before. Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal, and fast. Under construction are many hypersonic missiles.
The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent.
Three months ago, after destroying 100 percent of ISIS and its territorial caliphate, we killed the savage leader of ISIS, al-Baghdadi, who was responsible for so much death, including the mass beheadings of Christians, Muslims, and all who stood in his way. He was a monster. Al-Baghdadi was trying again to rebuild the ISIS caliphate, and failed.
Tens of thousands of ISIS fighters have been killed or captured during my administration. ISIS is a natural enemy of Iran. The destruction of ISIS is good for Iran, and we should work together on this and other shared priorities.
Finally, to the people and leaders of Iran: We want you to have a future and a great future -- one that you deserve, one of prosperity at home, and harmony with the nations of the world. The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.
I want to thank you, and God bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.


Mavchamp reporting

It is quite sad and appalling
That in a blessed country like South Africa
Images and videos that are very disturbing
Are emanating due to the killings of their fellow brothers and sisters
What is making it so disheartening
Is that we are all from one big family
It is heartbreaking and heart wrenching
To see such fatal and brutal killings
Let's not forget
That we are all blacks from the same continent
So why the hate?
Why taking foreigners as bait?
Why going after them like predators go after prey
Oh Lord I pray
Please stop the killings and vandalizing
Of invaluable properties and companies
Grow in us sisterly and brotherly love
Let all problems surrounding this xenophobic attacks be solved
Please and please I repeat let the killings stop
Let's take each other as one
Let's help each other in times of need
Please let there be peace

X - XENOPHOBIA (must)

E - END

N - NOW (let's be)

O - ONE

P - PEOPLE

H - HARMONIZING 2 HAVE

O - OUTSTANDING &

B - BRILLIANT

I - INTERNATIONAL

A - ACHIEVEMENT

#SayNoToXenophobia

#EndXenophobiaNow

#Mavchamp

© Ojuromi Marvellous Osaitie

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castrokins:
Anyone Going To Unical?

Yea bro, let's connect my contact is 08108706157

Unical students let's connect
My contact is 08108706157

Thanks

I scored 251 and i applied for Unical-Medicine
Any hope for me?
If not drop any other gud medical course dat i can study

Chai.. U are a shame 2 all SIWES students, all YABATECH students and all POLYTECHNIC students!

Prison calls baby!

Dats a true PHILANTROPIST
Some pple just attatched dat 2 there name without d action

may GOD uplift u 2 do more!

Asisat is in the form of her life, i just hope she replicates that form the upcoming WORLD CUP

U deserve an accolade!

Wats d usefulness of knowing this? When still yet no power
Abegi jo, make high tension finish does nepa pple 4 my area!

Guity conscience

Its simple

The LESSON TEACHER needs to be TAUGHT A LESSON

Benjax:
Edo falls under Catchment; obviously, your chances are better than anyone from South East.

thanks bro, pls what's d cutoff?

Benjax:
You're welcome.

By the way, I'm from the Eastern part of the country, not within Catchment, not within ELDS. Purely on merit and it worked without man-know-man; Most of my colleagues I've had a chat with, too. So, I think the bribery thing is similar to every "Nigeria" school you hold at high esteem. They adhere to the published cut off marks, and theirs is unique in my opinion.

please am from Edo state, wat are my chances in Unical to study medicine?

BlacSmit:
This people should stop all this rubbish! Have they seen my pictures??! I look like Ronald!

Do I brag about it? No!

thank God you say RONALD so am not surprise you look exactly like him . ... he sells bons in my area

SolexxBarry:
I will fry my left balls if he's 19

and I will touch fire if you're literate

carlleung:
Check out the knuckle sizes

the difference is clear

Jennystyle:
Just checked for my brother, no admission is given yet. Please what does this mean?

Itz nt unda admision status o!
2016 chek where u av bin posted!

Any uniben nursing student dat av bin posted plz coment