News Investigators/ The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reiterated its commitment to providing Mass Communication students with practical newsroom exposure to complement classroom learning and strengthen professional skills.
The Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Mufutau Ojo, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja, when students of the Mass Communication Department from the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger, visited the agency on a newsroom excursion.
Mr Ojo represented by the Managing Editor in charge of Marketing, Mrs Hadiza Aliyu, said that the visit would provide students with first-hand experience of newsroom operations and deepen their understanding of journalism practice.
According to him, this excursion is important because it will allow you to move beyond the theoretical aspect of journalism and gain first-hand knowledge of practical newsroom operations.
”It is good you see what we do; you have been doing the theory part; so it is important to also see the practical aspect of the profession.
”The News Agency of Nigeria is a news merchant. We gather news and package it into different products for newspapers, radio and television stations.
”As you tour our newsroom and various desks, you will have the opportunity to see how news is processed and distributed.”
Speaking, the Head of the IBBU Mass Communication Department, Ternenge Ende, said that the excursion formed part of the university’s policy of exposing students to major communication and media institutions.
Mr Ende explained that the department regularly visited radio stations, television stations, newspapers, advertising agencies, public relations consultancies and corporate organisations involved in communication practices.
He described NAN as a critical institution in Nigeria’s media landscape and a leading wire service whose operations students needed to understand.
”Our journey will not be complete if we do not also take our students through the activities of wire services.
”News Agency of Nigeria is prominent in the business of news syndication and we felt it is important for our students to experience its operations first-hand,” he said.
The head of department said that with the visit, the department’s expectations had been met, adding that the students had been able to compare classroom teachings with practical newsroom activities.
In their various remarks some of the students described the excursion as enlightening, saying it provided valuable practical insight into newsroom operations.
Peace Uzama said that she was impressed by the friendly working environment and the willingness of staff members to explain newsroom operations.
”The environment is very friendly and welcoming; we were taken through different desks and shown what each desk does.
”I will love to work with the News Agency of Nigeria if given the opportunity,” she said.
Also speaking, Theresa Umaru said the excursion provided a deeper understanding of NAN’s operations beyond what was taught in the classroom.
According to her, seeing the agency’s specialised desks demonstrated the importance of division of labour in news production.
Miss Umaru added that the experience had strengthened her interest in journalism and made her consider pursuing a career with NAN in the future.
In the same vein, Amina Garba said the excursion had given her a clearer understanding of journalism practice, describing her experience as inspiring and enlightening.
”I have heard about the News Agency of Nigeria before, but coming here to see how things work has been a different experience.
”I learnt a lot today and I am happy and encouraged by what I have seen, it is also an eye-opener and has motivated me to pursue a career in journalism,” she said.
Another student, Mr Zarumai Bala, commended NAN’s structured newsroom operations, describing the agency as a place where professionalism, facts and truth are upheld.
”This organisation is well developed and well organised; it’s a place where facts and truth are reported.
”If I graduate and have the opportunity, I will love to come back here and work with the agency,” he said.
NAN
