Shortly before his death, the dean of the School of Media and Communication (SMC), Panatlantic University (PAU), Lagos, Mike Okolo, inspired 20 pioneering beneficiaries of the MTN Media Innovation Program (MIP) recently launched by the communications giant.
Mr. Okolo, who reportedly died in an accident on June 5, 2022, was one of the celebrated media scholars who engaged fellows during the opening sessions of the fully-funded six-month fellowship.
According to the deceased, the fellows would participate in intensive sessions on courses covering modern income streams for journalists, creativity and innovation.
He said the program would equip fellows with the necessary knowledge in storytelling, business and management principles, 5G and blockchain technology, business and media ethics, strategic planning skills, among others.
Mr. Okolo implied that the selected fellows were chosen from more than 1,200 applications submitted during a call for applications phase that he noted began on April 27, 2022 and ended on May 5, 2022.
He added that the selections were based on the performance of a written test, as well as the presentation of a statement of purpose (SOP).
Shortly after completing the first month’s session, Mr. Okolo, who had joined the university since 2004, was said to have died in an accident on June 5.
The university, in a memorandum announcing his passing, commended him for his contribution to the institution in his 18 years of service.
He is said to be survived by his wife, Rosemary Okolo, a former university secretary, and four children.
The statement read in part: “Dr. Okolo joined Pan-Atlantic University in 2004 as Manager of University Corporate Affairs. In 2006, he became a pioneering member of the newly formed Center for Media and Communication and played a key role in establishing the Center.
“The CMC evolved into the School of Media and Communication, achieving a reputation for running quality academic and professional education programs, with the tremendous contribution of Dr. Okolo…”
Meanwhile, following her tragic passing, the university leadership has appointed Ngozi Okpara as Acting Dean of the School of Media and Communication (SMC).
MTN talks about MIP
Welcoming the participants, MTN Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Services, Tobechukwu Okigbo, also advised the fellows to take advantage of the opportunity the program offers to enhance their skills as journalists and media professionals.
Mr. Tobechukwu challenged journalists to be independent-minded in the course of their interactions with media industry players.
“As media professionals, they need to think for themselves, so that we, the ‘industry,’ don’t tell them things that aren’t like they are.
“You should check out some industry statistics; analyze certain claims to help society make informed decisions knowing the truth. Interrogate the numbers; that’s what sets them apart,” said Tobechukwu.
The program
In-person sessions for the fellowship began May 23, 2022 and will run for six months through December 10, 2022.
As part of the programme, fellows will also travel to South Africa to study media business, pan-Africanism and the role of media in development through a program with the University of the Witwatersrand, one of Africa’s leading universities for media training. media.
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In addition, the cohorts will execute practical group projects that will be presented at the end of the program; where a featured storyteller will receive a grant to participate in and cover the MTN Foundation’s key initiative, ‘What Can We Do Together?’
According to the organizers, at the end of the training, fellows will also have access to professional resources and mentorship from the university’s faculty.
Fellows
Pioneering MIP cohorts of 2022 include PREMIUM TIMES’ Ameh Ejekwonyilo, Leadership Newspaper’s Chima Akwaja, TVC News’ Mike Okwoche, Techeconomy’s Peter Oluka, The Guardian Newspaper’s Adeyemi Adepetun, TheCable’s Wasilat Azeez, Inspiration FM’s Uhuotu Omilabu, Damilola Fajinmi from Megalectrics and Sakina Ahmed from Fombina FM.
Others include Channels Television’s Abidemi Dairo, Thisday Newspaper’s Vanessa Obioha, Punch Newspaper’s Temitayo Jaiyeola, Elsie Godwin; a digital content creator, Agbonkhese Oboh of Vanguard Newspaper, Nahimah Ajikanle-Nurudeen of AP News, Daniel Adeyemi of TechCabal, Samson Akintaro of Nairametrics, Razaq Ayinla of Businessday, Esther Ndu of Arise News, Ugo Onwuaso of Nigeria Communications Week, Michael Orodare by Neusroom and Blossom Deji-Folutile.
Scholarship Expectations
Fellows, who were excited about their selection, expressed their expectations of the initiative, even as they vowed to maximize the opportunity.
“I am excited to have been chosen for the MIP program and look forward to filling the knowledge gaps in business skills as well as applying the communication skills that will be acquired to tell more impactful stories as a journalist,” said Mr. Ameh, one of the of the cohorts said at the opening session in Lagos.
For another fellow, Daniel Adeyemi, “This opportunity will broaden my storytelling skills, through first-person exposure to technology practices in both Nigeria and Africa, a deeper understanding of the regulatory landscape, and exposure to case studies of organizations industry leaders.”
“My goal with this program is to be able to create a digital platform that complements the existing broadcast platform in my organization while increasing revenue for the company. Ultimately, I am optimistic that being a part of this program will make my dream of becoming a media entrepreneur come true, even after retirement,” said Ms. Ahmed, a fellow.