Nigerian journalists require constant training and refresher courses to enable them grapple with the intricacies of governance and hold governments accountable to development plans.
Former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi who canvassed this position, argued that only well trained journalists can dissect and interpret government policies and programmes for proper dissemination to the larger public. He spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State, while unveiling the Ibadan Business School.
“Business and management skills are important tools of private and public sector development. Developing countries such as Nigeria require appropriate policy guidelines to cushion the gaps in knowledge and also build business education capacity of key stakeholders to aid development and economic growth” he explained.
Prof. Afolabi, who heads the board of advisors of the school, advocated a “systematic approach for talent and intellectual development in developing countries”, and suggested a complete overhaul of the education system to teach business management and entrepreneurship in the tertiary institutions.
He described the establishment of the school as a laudable initiative and a bold attempt to arrest the drift in intellectualism. “I see this school as a veritable tool for filling the gaps in intellectual pot holes in our education system” he said, and urged Nigerian graduates to acquire practical education that will “polish them and make them competitive in the labour market.”
President of Ibadan Business School, Mr. Yinka Fasuyi said the school was established to address the capacity needs of public governance business at all tiers of government as well as attend to the business capacity development needs of all managers in both the public and private sectors.
“The school will provide short-term capacity trainings to bridge the skills, knowledge, and attitude gaps that are required by every human capital in private, public, micro, small and medium scale enterprises to excel in their chosen career and business paths.” he emphasized
Fasuyi further explained that the school will operate primarily on theelectronic-learning platform to enable individuals and staff of public or private establishments to build their capacities by acquiring the necessary skills, appropriate knowledge and right attitude at their convenience. Specifically, he said the e-learning study approach involves streaming of lecture videos which are accessible on internet-connected desktop and laptop computers, tablets, notebooks and ipads. “A significant attraction for all prospective participants in the e-learning programme is the introduction of learning through mobile technology (Mobile Phones) whereby, all participants could simultaneously receive lecture broadcasts on their smart mobile phones”, he explained.
The Board of Advisors of Ibadan Business School comprises of eminent Nigerians and International Professionals who are authorities in their various fields of work. The Board Chairman isProfessor Oladapo Afolabi, the former head of service of the federation while the vice-chairman is Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, one-time national president of Nigerian Bar Association and former Chairman, Governing Council, University of Ibadan. Other members are: Dr. (Mrs.) Nkem Sally Adukwu, OON the former President/ Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, Professor Pikay Richardson, a well-respected senior professor at the Manchester Business School, Manchester, United Kingdom, Mr. Bayo Jimoh, Group Managing Director, O’dua Investment Company Limited, Ibadan, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, MFR, former President/ Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, President of the School, Mr. Yinka Fasuyi, a foremost Management Consultant and the registrar/ Board Secretary Chief Mojisola Ladipo, FNIM, mni, a two-time registrar of University of Ibadan.
