Democratic governance and national development will continue to require trained broadcasters and other media professionals who are prepared to keep the ethics and rules of the industry.

This is the charge by the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Liman Mansur in a message to the graduating students of the National Broadcast Academy.

The Director General observed that for democracy to take deeper and stronger roots in Nigeria, news and programme makers must be more inclusive by focusing on women, youth and people with disabilities.

The FRCN Chief Executive who was represented by the Director Academic Planning Mr. Ayodele Aliyu, urged the graduating students to emphasise civic and voter education as Nigerians prepare for the next year General Election.

Dr. Mansur called on the outgoing students to use their skills to promote religious, ethnic and regional integration in Nigeria. In a message to the occasion, the Director National Broadcast Academy, Mr. Ike Okere, reiterated that broadcasters must shun fake news and hate speech in their news coverage and programming.

Mr. Okere reassured the students of the readiness of the institution to make the welfare of the trainees a top priority.

Contributing, the Registrar, Mrs Olubukola Adedeji advised the students to reflect the knowledge gained from the course in their professional practice.

In a goodwill message, the Acting Director, Physical Planning, Mr. Duru Eugene urged the outgoing students to entrench the values of professional broadcasters in their contents.

The former Bursar, Mrs. Alade Ronke appealed to the students to make personal and professional integrity their watchword.

Responding, one of the outgoing students, Mr. Olowoye Adebukola urged the Academy to make the school calendar more flexible to accommodate part time students.

Highlights of the programme include stage performance by a student artiste, a review and public presentation of a publication produced by students of Journalism Department.
 

COV/ Onyii