WARRI – The Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan -Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Dr. Ikechuchukwu Obiaya, has said that, the School was set up to help professionals make a difference not only to themselves, but also to also to the society at large.

Dr. Obiaya stated this last weekend, during the graduation ceremony of the Chevron Sponsored Advanced Writing And Reporting Skills (AWAReS 18) programme at the Ibeju-Lekki Main Campus of the University.

While admonishing the graduands to be good Ambassadors of the institution, and bring good to bare all that they have learnt in the course of the programme, University Don, said : ” In coming to the various programmes, you have bought into our vision, you have bought into our goals, so that in graduating , you are also committing yourselves to pursue that vision, it’s a responsibility, I would like to think you have taken on.

” We are committed to ethics. We are very much committed to that, we believe that it is possible to do things well in this country, we believe it is possible for people to live well and do their jobs earnestly.

“The only way that what we do here is possible, is because individuals are applying themselves fully.

“So, I challenge you to be good ambassadors of this University, not because I am saying it, but because the nation needs it.

” The communication tools at your disposal can be used rightly or wrongly… It can be used to promote goodwill or used to undermine individuals’ dignity.
Each one of us can correct societal ills, wherever we find ourselves.” Obiaya said.

On his part, the representative of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) , Mr. Victor Anyaegbudike , External Communications Coordinator, said: ” CNL’S sponsorship of AWAReS, was borne out of the need to ensure that those who are the custodians of our opinion moulding, are brought up to speed; adding that CNL in partnership with Pan- Atlantic University, started the sponsorship in 2014 so as to ensure that media practitioners are well equipped in carrying out their jobs effectively.”

He challenged the graduands to increase their intellectual curiosity, leadership propensity and mental vitality from the training for a better society.

The Guest Speaker, Engineer Charles Osezua, Chairman/ CEO of Owel-Linkso Group speaking on the topic, ” Work And Family Balance, said a person could only be said to be successful when he or she succeeded in both the work place and at the home front .

Engr. Osezua who said, the topic was in line with the ethos of the Pan -Atlantic University charged the graduating students never to undermine the importance of the family in order to succeed. He cautioned against neglecting the family while pursuing career goals .

According to him, the consequences of neglecting the family has given rise to the number of broken homes as well as increasing divorce cases in our law courts.

” If we do not subject whatever we want to do to reason and will, we have a problem.

” We must consciously deal with the situation where couples are together, but keeping company with someone else on social media; self control is the way to go. He said.

President of the AWAReS18 class, Ayodele Akinsola on behalf of his colleagues, thanked both Chevron and the Management of the University for the opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn the ethics and skills in the pen profession .

A total of 25 students graduated from the programme, out of which 18 journalists drawn from both the print and electronic media were sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited.
Others included 7 students who graduated from the Executive Programming In Advertising(EXPAD) and 1.student from the Advanced Business Communication(ABC).

Mr. Isaac -Ogugua Ezechukwu , Director, Professional Education; Opeyemi Gazali, Programme Coordinator ;Mr. Godwin ; other staff of the University as well as friends and family and friends of the graduands .