The Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, has called on the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) to sustain and strengthen its emphasis on development journalism as a vital tool for national growth and responsible governance.
Ojo-Lanre made the call while obtaining two admission forms for prospective students of the International Institute of Journalism, Ado-Ekiti Campus, from the Campus Coordinator, Mr. Dare Daniels.
He stressed that journalism is a professional discipline that demands structured training, ethical orientation, and continuous capacity building, noting that the ability to write simple English does not equate to professional journalism practice.
“Anyone who understands simple English can write, but not everyone who writes can be regarded as a professional journalist. Journalism requires training,” he said.
The former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, emphasised the need for journalists who are development-driven, ethically sound, and intellectually equipped to interpret governance, the economy, culture, and social change for the benefit of the public.
He further urged the management of the Institute to regularly review and update its curriculum in line with emerging global trends, advocating the full integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Journalism into IIJ training programmes. According to him, contemporary journalism increasingly depends on digital tools, data analytics, AI-assisted research, and multimedia storytelling, warning that failure to embrace these innovations could render journalism education obsolete.
Describing the IIJ as a critical institution in shaping journalists who are not only reporters of events but also agents of national development and accountability, Ojo-Lanre reaffirmed his confidence in the Institute’s mandate.
Responding, the Coordinator of the IIJ Ado-Ekiti Campus, Mr. Dare Daniels, commended Barrister Ojo-Lanre—an alumnus of the IIJ Abuja Campus—for his sustained commitment to the growth and advancement of the Institute.
Daniels praised Ojo-Lanre’s consistency in upholding ethics and professionalism in media practice, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the Institute and a strong advocate for quality journalism education in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to producing well-trained media professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.