The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, has initiated a strategic partnership with the Federal College of Education (FCE), Ilawe-Ekiti, aimed at strengthening teacher education, promoting institutional visibility and advancing advocacy for reforms in Nigeria’s education sector.
The initiative came to the fore during a courtesy visit by a five-member delegation of the NUJ, led by the Council Secretary, Comrade O’Seun Ogunsakin, on behalf of the Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi. The delegation identified publicity, professional capacity building, media education and policy advocacy as key areas of collaboration between the union and the institution.
Receiving the delegation, the Provost of the College, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, applauded the NUJ for extending what he described as a timely hand of partnership, noting that educational institutions require strong relationships with the media to effectively communicate their achievements and developmental strides.
Dr. Olugbeko, however, used the visit to make a passionate appeal for improved remuneration and better welfare packages for teachers, warning that Nigeria risks a severe shortage of qualified educators if the teaching profession continues to suffer neglect. He argued that poor salaries and limited incentives have discouraged many talented young people from pursuing careers in education.
According to the Provost, making teaching financially rewarding would restore the profession’s dignity and attract the nation’s brightest minds, stressing that the quality of any education system depends largely on the calibre of teachers it is able to recruit and retain.
Earlier, Comrade Ogunsakin said the NUJ was ready to support the college through strategic publicity, journalism and communication training for staff via the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), as well as the establishment of a Press Club to nurture students interested in journalism while pursuing their teaching careers.
Both parties expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would not only enhance the visibility of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe-Ekiti, but also amplify national advocacy for policies that will reposition the teaching profession and improve the overall standard of education in Nigeria.
