A veteran journalist and Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, has urged journalism educators to use practical assignments to help students connect classroom learning with real-life opportunities, following the recognition of outstanding students at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos.
The media trainer, who is an adjunct lecturer at the institute made the call during the presentation of cash prizes and certificates to Higher National Diploma (HND I) students who excelled in a multimedia digital writing assignment centred on the biography of distinguished NIJ alumna, Mrs Jennifer Okaima Piette.
The assignment which required students to produce engaging multimedia content using information from Mrs Piette’s social media platforms as part of a practical journalism exercise designed to strengthen their reporting, research, writing and digital storytelling skills.
Speaking on the initiative, Otufodunrin said the project was created to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the realities of the media profession by exposing students to practical storytelling while drawing inspiration from the achievements of a successful alumnus.
”I like to teach students with practical examples. Jennifer graduated from this school and has gone on to achieve remarkable success in the United States. The assignment was created to help students relate classroom learning to real-life opportunities while developing their content creation and journalism skills,” he said.
Mrs Piette sponsored cash prizes for the participating groups in recognition of their performance. Group B, represented by Alabi Emmanuel (HND I Journalism), emerged as the overall winner. Group C, represented by Akogun Esther, finished as the first runner-up, while Group A, represented by Olakanye Iyanuoluwa Omobolanle, came second runner-up. Group D, represented by Akinola Israel, also received a consolation cash award.
In addition to the monetary rewards, Mrs Piette offered interested students the opportunity to participate in an e-mentoring programme aimed at equipping them with the skills, guidance and professional exposure needed to stand out in today’s highly competitive media industry.
Otufodunrin, a veteran Nigerian journalist and media career development specialist with more than 35 years of industry experience, encouraged aspiring journalists to continually develop their skills and embrace practical learning opportunities, noting that the evolving media landscape offers limitless opportunities for professionals who are prepared to learn, innovate and adapt.
The multimedia writing assignment forms part of efforts to promote experiential learning by giving students practical exposure to digital journalism and content creation while connecting academic learning with career development.
