BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The African Council for Communications Education (ACCE) believes that urgent renaissance is required to cure the current indigestion in domestic communication system across the continent’s landscape.
For the ACCE, such revival of learning and culture will speed up digital technological growth not only in Nigeria but also Africa in general
This is as the body also blamed the slow and progressive demise of African indigenous communication system on the absence of language communication policy that impacts knowledge in the various tertiary institutions.
The ACCE strongly canvassed these position in a communique issued at the end of their 26th International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
According to the communique, media organisations must also take advantage of their sacred responsibility as societal watchdogs to create indigenous programmes, with all-inclusive
contents purely aimed at advancing digital communication on the domestic front.
It further emphasised that such programme packages should not only be comprehensive but also strategic, towing the line of existing Asian models which streamlines western ideas alongside their culture and traditional mode of communication.
In his remarks at the event, National President of ACCE, Nigeria Chapter, Professor Babashir Abdulahi, noted that hitherto famous television series like “Tales By Moonlight” and other folklore programmes on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) were telecasts that strengthened family bond in the past as they pulled large family gatherings during their scheduled broadcast.
Abdulahi, a Dean at the University of Abuja, said it is worrisome today that most youths are preoccupied with the damaging delight of being exposed to war films, cartoons that do not have any bearing on our culture and traditions, including addiction to violent wrestling programmes.
On his part, Professor Abiodun Salawu, a South African-based scholar and a leading authority on African indigenous communication systems, proposed that proactive steps be taken to bring about a renaissance in indigenous communication education.
Delivering the keynote address at the Forum, Prof Salawu said such measures would ensure the continent of Africa maintains its pride and still be refered to as the cradle of civilisation.
He said for any country in Africa to enjoy the pride of being refered to in history as the cradle of civilisation is a significant proof and a research credit to scholars that before colonisation there was a system of communication existing among Africans.
The Communication expert lamented that the prevailing situation whereby everything with western concept is seen as the acceptable standard does not augur well for the advancement of digital technological growth of African countries.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, who spoke at the event, said it aligns with ongoing developments in the State’s education sector, noting that governance and education cannot thrive without effective communication.
Governor Otu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, said the State government would rely on the proceedings to share and build upon the valuable knowledge and insights shared by participants.
“I am truly grateful, because without adequate data, effective planning is impossible. Listening carefully to the keynote speaker today has reinforced this fact”, he said.
The Governor also unveiled the newly published journal titled: “The Nigerian Journal of Communication” at the event.
Held at The Dome, Calabar Municipal, the conference, with the theme: “Communication and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Era of AI, Big Data, and Cultural Transformation”, brought together communication experts from across the globe.
Presently, the largest association for media professionals and communication educators in Africa, the ACCE was founded in 1976 to promote and improve communication education and practice across the continent.
It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and serves as a forum for academics, researchers, and practitioners to discuss key issues like communication technology, culture, and development through seminars, workshops, and conferences.
