The Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) under the leadership of thePresident, Professor Umaru Pate, hosted its 11th Annual Conference and General Meeting on September 4th and 5th, 2024, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja as New executives Emerged.
The conference, themed “Digital Communication and Governance in Africa,” was held in collaboration with prominent Nigerian universities and institutions including Lagos State University, Covenant University, Caleb University, Crescent University, Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Olabisi Onabanjo University, International Press Centre, Ajayi Crowther University, D. S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
This was contained in a press release signed by the General secretary of the association Dr. Solomon Abiodun Oyeleye and made available to newsmen.
The conference began with an address from ACSPN President, Professor Umaru Pate, who stressed the importance of networking among communication professionals to advance the field. Chairman Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye underscored the challenges and high costs associated with digitalization in governance, urging leaders and scholars to tackle these issues collaboratively.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of Premium Times. Olorunyomi highlighted the crises of funding and information disorder within Africa's news media industry. He emphasized the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance public service delivery and governance but cautioned against ethical pitfalls, advocating for a national policy on AI strategies.
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, was represented by Honourable Commissioner of Information and Strategy Mr. Gbenga Omotoso. Omotoso praised the conference’s relevance, noting Lagos State’s use of digital communication as a foundation for its smart city project, including the installation of CCTV cameras for improved security and urban management.
Discussions at the conference revealed several critical issues such as necessity of fostering networks among communication scholars and practitioners, The importance of developing communication institutions and literature, The crisis in the news media industry amidst communication’s transformative potential for governance and democracy, The lack of interdisciplinary research between mass communication and computer science and The need for national policies on AI and ethical collaboration in digital communication.
Moreso, the conference adopted several resolutions which includes encouraging ongoing research partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations, Advocating for government policies on AI and fact-checking in collaboration with tech companies and civil society, Establishing AI and digital communication labs in educational institutions, Implementing the PRACTICUM model for experiential learning in journalism education, Increasing local content in communication programs and supporting young scholars in securing research grants.
The high point of the conference was the general meeting with the rendering of stewardship by the old executives led by Professor Umaru Pate, followed by election of new leadership with President Professor Rotimi W. Olatunji, Lagos State University, Deputy President, South West
Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, University of Lagos, Deputy President South East/South South Prof Ifeyinwa Nsude, Deputy President, Deputy President, North
Dr Rukayyat Aliyu, Bayero University, Vice-President, South East
Prof. Uwaoma Uche, DVC (Administration), Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Vice-President, South West Mr. Lanre Arogundade, International Press Centre (IPC), Vice-President, South South
Prof Peter Esuh, University of Uyo, Vice-President, North Central
Prof Azeez Adesina, University of Ilorin, Vice-President, North West
Dr Suleiman Yar'Adua, Bayero University, Vice-President, North East
Dr. Abdulmutalib Abubakar, University of Maiduguri, General Secretary
Dr Solomon Abiodun Oyeleye, Caleb University, Assistant General Secretary 1
Dr Faustino Babatunde, University of Lagos, Assistant General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary 2
Lawal Umar Maradun, Zamfara State University,Gusau, Treasurer
Dr. Ifedolapo Ademosu, Zonal Mobilisation
Officer, South West Dr. Dare Ogunyombo, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Zonal Mobilisation
Officer, South East, Peter Dibia Nnadozie, Announcer Newspaper, Owerri, Zonal Mobilisation Officer, South South Dr Daniel Ekhareafo, Mass Communication, University of Benin, Zonal Mobilisation
Officer, North Central Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, Nigerian Customs Service, Zonal Mobilisation Officer, North West Dr Adama Adamu, Ahmadu Bello University, Zonal Mobilisation Officer, North East Dr Ibrahim Uba Yusuf, University of Maiduguri, Research & Publications Editor Professor Joe Wilson, Federal University, Kashere, Deputy Research & Publications Editor, Prof Barigbon Nsereka, Rivers State University, Deputy Research &
Publications Editor 2 Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile, Double O Communication
Brand Strategist
Dr. Monday Ashibogwu Billsbox Limited
Publicity Secretary 1
Dr. Chukwudi Anyianuka, Institute of Management & Technology (Enugu)
Publicity Secretary 2
Dr. Olabisi Deji-Folutile, Franktalk Media
Welfare and Logistics Officer 1
Ify Obi, Department of Mass Communication, UNZIK, Awka
Welfare and Logistics 2
Nurat Tosin Yusuf-Audu, University of Abuja
ICT Officer 1
Mr. Tosin Adesile- Elizade University, Ilara Mokin,
ICT Officer 2
Bashiru Usman, Skyline University, Kano
Partnership, Networking & Linkages Officer
Anayo Ngene, Braun Memorial Schools, Abakaliki
Diaspora Coordinator USA
Uchenna Ekwo, PhD Professor of Media and Communication, Union College of New Jersey, and President, Center for Media and Peace Initiative, New York
33
Diaspora Coordinator, Europe & Asia
Dr. Ekwutosi Sanita Nwakpu, Edge Hill University, UK
34
National Students Coordinator
Dr Eric Msughter Aondover, Caleb University
35
Deputy National Students Coordinator
Dr Timothy Ekeledirichukwu Onyejelem, Federal University, Otuoke
Board of Trustees
1
Chairman, BOT
Prof Idowu Sobowale
2
Secretary
Mr Lanre Idowu, Diamond Award For Media Excellence
3
Member
Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, Paul University, Awka
4
Member
Prof Charles Okigbo, North Dakota State University
5
Member
Prof Umaru Pate, Federal University, Kashere,
6
Member
Prof Nosa Owens-Ibie, Caleb University
7
Member
Prof Victor Ayedun-Aluma, University of Jos
8
Member
Mrs Nkechi Ali-Balogun, NECCI Ltd, Lagos, BOT
9
Member
Prof Shamsudeen Mohammed, Ahmadu Bello University
10
Ex-officio
Prof Oluyinka Esan, UK
11
Ex-officio
Prof Adebayo Fayoyin, UK
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