Emma Okonji
The Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON) has called on the federal and state governments, including the private and public sector organisations, to support academic research that will boost national development across the country.
AMCRON made the call during its Third International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), a two-day forum, which opened yesterday, at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.
In his opening remarks, the President of AMCRON, Prof. Eserinune McCarty Mojaye, stressed the need for government support for meaningful academic research that would add value to national development.
According to him, “The advanced countries of the world realise the importance of research and they deploy it on all frontiers. In the developing countries however, we do not seem to accord research its pride of place in the scheme of things.
“At AMCRON, members are determined to change this narrative and we are committed to making research the bedrock of our development. We therefore need support from governments and collaboration from the private and public organisations, including well-meaning individuals to achieve our goals in the areas of research and development.”
Chairman, Board of Trustees at AMCRON, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, who delivered the keynote address on the theme: ‘Communication, Mass Media And Governance in Africa-Trajectories, Expectations and |Realities,’ said contemporary research works that are timely, would drive national development.
According to him, AMCRON was dedicated to research that would not only support mass communication, but also support democracy. He stressed the role of the media in monitoring government and making government accountable to the people at all time.
“The task of the media is to uncover hidden facts and the goal of AMCRON is to deepen research and make recommendations available for government to further deepen democracy in Nigeria that will bring renewed hope to all Nigerians,” Akinfeleye said.
The Chairman of the forum, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, who commended AMCRON for its vision on research and development, said the association would have enough to research upon, especially in governance and disputes in election matters, which he said, remained highest in the history of Nigerian elections.
He said the role of the media had always been informative, entertaining and a strong advocate for good governance, and he encouraged AMCRON to hold government accountable through its value-added research and development initiatives.
In her goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunshola, who was represented by the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of AMCRON and Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, Prof. Adepoju Tejumaiye, said there had always been a wide communication gap between governance and the governed and called on AMCRON to ensure that such gap is closed for the benefit of the general public.
In his welcome address as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of AMCRON, Tejumaiye welcomed all participants to the conference, and stressed the importance of the conference theme, which he said, would help to address the failed governance system in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Others who delivered goodwill messages at the conference, include the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Ladja Odukoya; Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Lagos, Prof. Abraham Oshunubi; Lead Partner, CMC Communications, Yomi Badejo; Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); and Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), among others.
The conference was later split into technical sessions to discuss key issues that will enhance mass media and support research and development.
