UNILAG Mass Comm in double celebrations
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Mass Communication Department is celebrating. It is not celebrating one but two milestones. The first milestone is UNILAG 103.1 FM.
The radio station clocks 20! 20 years! It is the first campus radio in Nigeria, licenced in 2002 during the tenure of the then Dr Adidi Uyo as HOD.
Between 1999 and 2006, the department had six HODs, namely Prof. Luke Uka Uche 1999-2000; Prof. Peter Omoluabi 2000-2001, Dr Adidi Uyo 2001-2002; Dr Segun Odukomaiya 2003-2004, Prof. Ritchard Tamba M’Bayo 2004-2005 and Prof. Ralph Afolabi Akinfeleye 2005-2014. The process of obtaining the license started before the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) granted it in 2002.
The `Masscope Magazine’ published by Okewole Babatunde Josiah set 1998-2002 used it as a cover story with the title “Unilag Radio Debuts”. My set produced Unilag Sun newspaper concurrently and it was also reported.
The radio station started in December 2004 during Dr Odukomaiya’s tenure and has not looked back since then. There was an initial fear that students might hijack the station during Alluta protest.
That was why it started broadcasting programmes from the Senate Building for proper monitoring and protection. The station has since moved back home to the department that is the “first in Africa and second to none in the world”.
UNILAG MAss Comm 103.1 FM Radio celebrates 20th anniversary
Only last week, the Mass Comm Department, and indeed, the entire university community celebrated the 20th anniversary of the radio debut.
Joining to say ‘Happy 20th anniversary UNILAG 103.1 FM.’
The second celebration is loading, as all is set for an unprecedented inaugural lecture. This is as Prof. Ismail Adegboyega Ibraeem sets to mount the podium to deliver the inaugural lecture.
For the first time in 21 years, a Professor of Mass Communication will deliver an inaugural lecture at the citadel of learning, the famous Ivory Tower, UNILAG priding itself as the `University of First Choice’.
It is noteworthy to recall that on May 20, 2003, Prof. Ralph Afolabi Akinfeleye mounted the podium to deliver his inaugural lecture titled “Fourth Estate of the Realm or Fourth Estate of the Wreck – Imperative of Social Responsibility of the Press”.
It was a Champions League match day and unlike Arsenal FC, Manchester United was heavily involved. So, despite my involvement with the mobilisation of my class to UNILAG Main Auditorium for the lecture, my mind never left Old Trafford, the Theater of Dreams!
Prof. Akinfeleye’s inaugural lecture was similar to what President Obasanjo did in 2003 with the hosting of CHOGOM. Three years earlier, no one wanted to touch Mass Comm Department and its students.
Our two professors – Luke Uka Uche and Ralph Akinfeleye were suspended by the Afe Babalola-led Council.
As students, we were truly frustrated because the entire University felt scandalised by Prof. Uche’s interview in the Post Express newspaper with the Banner Headline – “UNILAG in a mess”!
And Mass Comm became Nigeria under Sanni Abacha. That suspension led the University to appoint Prof. Peter Omoluabi from Department of Psychology, for us as HOD of Mass Comm.
Risen from the ashes of that conflict, the Akinfeleye’s inaugural lecture brought the communication industry to UNILAG and gradually, the department stabilised. Now, the department boasts of four full Professors and a number of Associate Professors.
One of these full Professors is Ismail Adegboyega Ibraheem, the 1992 graduate of our famous department. A product of the department, or call him son of the soil takes, is set to take his place.
Prof. Ibraheem is the first graduate of the department to deliver an inaugural lecture. Prof. Idowu Sobowale had delivered his own, not in UNILAG but at the Lagos State University (LASU).
Three others are warming up to take their turns. They are Professors Abigail Ogwezzy, Sunday Oloruntola and Adepoju Tejumaiye. Associate Prof. Soji Alabi is also on the line.
Prof. Ibraheem has creatively coined the topic of his lecture in the rich tradition of erudite inaugural lecturers such Prof. Bolaji Idowu, the late Patriarch of the Methodist Church.
Prof. Idowu’s inaugural lecture sparked the debate “God is dead” in 1974 at the University of Ibadan or Prof. Jacob Ayantayo’s “Rescuing God from His abductors” in 2018.
The title of Prof. Ibraheem is “Casino Journalism and the End of History”. Who are those doing casino journalism and how has their journalese ended history? Ibraheem is set to unwrap this. And, stakeholders in the field of communications are eager to drink from the fountain of knowlege.
I have not read the lecture. But the title has given a sneak preview of what awaits guests on the Dec. 18 at the comfy Ade Ajayi Auditorium. Organisers of the lecture deliberately choose the day. It would be the last inaugural lecture of 2024 at the University of First Choice and Nigeria’s greatest!
