The School of Media and Communication (SMC) at Pan-Atlantic University on December 10, 2022, celebrated the successful completion of the pioneer fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP).
These media professionals underwent six months of intensive training in media innovation, thanks to the establishment of the programme in partnership with MTN Nigeria.
After a competitive selection process, the 20 fellows began their certification course on May 23, 2022. The programme was spread across six months and included a study trip to the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, where the fellows visited the MTN Innovation Centre as well as other media houses and innovation hubs in the country.
At the graduation ceremony, Prof Anuli Agina, Associate Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the SMC, commended MTN Nigeria for their sponsorship and co-creation of the MIP. She encouraged the fellows to be ambassadors of the school and to continue working professionally, ethically, and selflessly.
“We hope that your education at the SMC, PAU, would lead you to continue working professionally, ethically and selflessly, with a value creation and production mentality,” she said.
Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer of MTN Nigeria, congratulated the fellows and praised the unique approach of the PAU to university teaching and its commitment to the national growth of Nigeria’s media industry. He emphasized the important role of the media in informing and educating Nigerians on the reality of different industries and their impact on national development.
“We are proud of you all and look forward to your exploits in advancing media practice in Nigeria. In the same vein, I’d like to commend the PAU’s unique approach to university teaching and its commitment to contributing to the national growth of Nigeria’s media industry. As the fourth estate of the realm, the media is responsible for telling compelling stories that inform and educate Nigerians on the reality of industries and their effects on national development. We are proud of our partnership with the school.”
The graduation ceremony concluded with the presentation of awards to two outstanding MIP fellows. Mike Okwoche of TVC News received the “MTN Nigeria Chairman Award for Innovation,” and Vanessa Obioha of ThisDay Newspapers received the “MTN Foundation Chairman Award for Innovative Reportage on MTN Foundation.”
