Wunmi Semudara
The Nasarawa State University Institute of Strategic and Development Communication ( ISDEVCOM) has nominated more than 20 pioneers of development communication, and others who have advanced in the practice for honours at the forthcoming International Conference on Communication and Development in Africa.
This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Chairman of, Local Organising Committee of the conference Mr Odoh Diego Okenyodo, he explained that the conference is being hosted by the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM), Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria and it is Scheduled for Tuesday, 2nd and Wednesday, 3rd of May, 2023 at the prestigious University Assembly Hall, with the theme, “Change Management and Data-Driven”.
The release stated that the conference is being organised in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) whose Director General/CEO, Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz will deliver the keynote speech while the Special Guest of Honour will be the Secretary to the Government of Nigeria, Mr Boss Mustapha.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, said he is very proud of what the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication has achieved in a short span of 5 years, one of which is organizing the Conference on Communication and Development in Africa.
In his words, he said, “I am glad that this conference has become a veritable gathering of diverse experts from the academia and practitioners in development communication, alongside policymakers, civil society organizations, key government institutions and the media, and this edition is throwing light on how data has been a driver of strategic engagement for development.”
The Executive Director of ISDEVCOM, Prof E.S. Dandaura, on his part hinted that “The awards are part of our 5th-anniversary celebrations as an Institute dedicated to promoting dialogue between the academia and the society for national development. We want to acknowledge the roles played by pioneer researchers, theorists, practitioners and different stakeholders in communicating development.”
The honourees are Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule; Plateau State Governor, H.E. Simon Bako Lalong; founder of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Centre of Excellence on Development Communication, Prof. Ogah Steve Abah; Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority, Mal. Salihu Adbulhamid Dembos; former Director General of NTA, Professor Tonnie Iredia; former Vice Chancellor of NSUK, Prof. Mohammed Akaro Mainoma and the Director General, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Prof. P.C. Onyenekwe.
Other honourees are Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, Center for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), Mrs. Babafunke Fagbemi, Executive Director of African Radio Drama Association (ARDA), Mrs Data Phido; Country Coordinator of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter, Dr (Mrs) Rose Gidado and Chief James Ume (Ike Abam Onyerubi), Unubiko Foundation Abuja.
The statement revealed that Institutional recognitions for excellence in development communication will go to ActionAid, Nigeria, and the Lagos-based Development Communication Network.
Others to receive the awards include the Chairman of the Plateau State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Fabong Jemchang Yildam; Chairman of NUJ Abuja Council, Emmanuel Ogbeche; Per Second News, Mr Femi Soneye; National Biotechnology Development Agency, Professor Maxwell Gidado, SAN, and the first Bassa PhD holder who is the Aguma of Turunku, Toto LGA, HRH Dr David Tukura.
