UNIZIK 94.1 FM clocks 10 , as former Governor , Peter Obi tasks the media on nation building

www.odogwublog.com reports that Nnamdi Azikiwe University , Awka Campus Radio station, Unizik 94.1 FM has celebrated its ten years anniversary in grand style with the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi describing the media as critical to nation building.

Obi was speaking during the 10th anniversary of UNIZIK FM at the University auditorium said that rather use the media to propagate hate speeches and negative tendencies, that the media could be effectively used to appraise the development of the nations of the world so that the country would better appreciate what other countries are doing that make  them to succeed and what others are doing that make them fail.

Admonishing the audience who are mostly students and the youth, he called on them to have faith in themselves and their capacities arguing that most people that succeeded in the world saw opportunities where others saw nothing.

Answering questions on the plight of the youth with regard to the comment credited to President Buhari, Obi said he believed the President was either misquoted or quoted out of context.

Obi, who commended Nigerian youths for being hardworking and  innovative said that the  only challenge they face in Nigeria was cumulative leadership failure, which had not put things right for them to fully  unleash their potentials. Talking about leadership failure, Obi used Nigerian debt profile as an example, saying that it was inexplicable that a country that recently enjoyed debt cancellation had accumulated over 70 billion dollars so soon. He wondered what such recklessness will lead the country by the year 2025.

The former Anambra state Governor commended the keynote speaker, Prof Umaru Pate , former Dean , Faculty of Communication , Bayero University Kano for his well thought provoking and articulated paper and Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna , Director of the Unizik 94.1 FM and Dean Faculty of Social Sciences for her ingenuity and dedication to anything she gets her hands on.

Arguing about the ingenuity of the Nigerian youth, Obi said that Nigerians should ask themselves while the same youths do well in other climes, where they have the necessary infrastructure even without the needed support.

Continuing, Obi said that what  was needed in Nigeria and most African countries, as he made clear to them during the Commonwealth meeting, was  for the country to fully support Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSME), which he said was what China did to experience  developmental boom they are enjoying today.

Obi who wished the youth well advised them to remain focused amidst the present challenges, which he advised they should help in resolving by coming forward, against all odds, to participate responsibly in government.

The event which was chaired by Sen. Ben Obi had the cream of the University community led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Esimone Charles in attendance.

In his address the Vice Chancellor, Prof Joseph Ahaneku represented by his Deputy Vice Chancellor ,  Academic Prof Charles Esimone , the VC said UNIZIK 94.1 FM has kept faith with this paradigm of excellence Unizik as an Institution is known for in area of community broadcasting even winning many laurels , locally and nationally. He lauded Prof Okunna for championing the funding of construction of the Professor Stela Chinyere Okunna Legacy building housing the Radio station.

In his keynote address, Prof Umaru Pate pointed out that there are four things people take for granted in life but which ought not be like good health, peace , freedom and communication, adding that it is worrisome the level of hate speeches and fake news in the society today which the Campus Radio should rise above board to checkmate since it has large concentration of youths as its audience as well as the cosmopolitan nature of its audience.

He noted that since the conventional media is competing with the social media , the Radio must have something unique to attract and keep its audience, lamenting that ignorance and stereotypes have taken over the polity hence Nigerian politicians have become local in thinking and reasoning. He added that Campus Radio stations should be more investigative in their approach.

The Director of the station, Prof. Stella Okunna was full of appreciation to the guests and the School authority for being supportive to the project, pledging to continue to project the goal of its establishment even as she went down memory lane of the establishment of the Radio station during Prof Ilochi Okafor , Prof Boniface Egboka and now Prof Joseph Ahaneku.

On his remarks , the royal father of the day and traditional ruler of Igbakwu , Ayamelum , Igwe Prof Onuora Nwuneli encouraged the campus radio station to partner the Faculty of Agriculture to champion farmers education since the Radio is the fastest medium to reach the audience .

The Unizik 94.1 fm station Manager Ify Obi , Mrs and the zonal Director of National Broadcasting Commission , Susan Obi , Mrs said the station has maintained all the rules and regulations since its inception.

Chairman on the occasion, Senator Ben Ndi Obi hailed the Vice Chancellor , Prof Joseph Ahaneku or the great work he has done in the University including by giving it international visibility. He stated that Nnamdi Azikiwe University Radio Unizik 94.1 FM must aim for the best standards in line with the pedigree of Zik of Africa after whom it is named.

Cutting of 10 yeas Anniversary cake , Ballet dance, Radio Quiz , citation and installation of Patrons and Grand Patron as well as presentation of prize to the most reliable volunteer worker formed the highlight .

Peter Obi , Anambra former Governor, Iyom Josephine Anenih, former minister of women Affairs and Social Development , Ichie Onochie Okagbue, CEO of Bessoy Group , Kenneth Ifeatu Obi , CEO of Athantic Oil Services limited and Chief Ndubisi Nwobu are patrons and grand patrons o Unizik 94.1 FM, Awka.

Emmanuel Okoro won the best volunteer award.