Tell me how a Professor is celebrated?

By Katdapba Yunana Gobum

In one fell swoop, three professional Journalists: Ezekiel Ademola Major Adeyi, Taye Obateru and Godfrey Dana’an have been elevated to the rank of Professor in different fields.

The three are of the Department of Political Science and Mass Communication of the University of Jos respectively.

All of them were in the field and practicing before relocating to the University of Jos. One would conclude that it was a move to greener pastures; however, knowing them as we do, it was to enable them be at the best of the trade.

It is interesting, all three kept going as if they were infected by an academic bug. The three are products of the same university, but for their higher degrees, they were received from various universities at home and abroad.

The bottom line is not where those degrees were acquired; it is in the quality of what they have impacted in the lives of the students who have passed through them.

We must not be oblivious of what the society has benefited in various ways from their reportage and activism over the years. They had reported on various subjects and taught different courses; thus changing the pathways of many students to become what they are today.

Those who know, will admit the place of both endeavours: Get the experience of both worlds, and it won’t be surprising when one is being celebrated the next day.

The celebration, therefore, cannot be lost in the deluge of congratulatory messages received from those who know their worth. They are, in several respects, worthy of the encomiums they have received; what with a challenge to do more.

Journalists need both worlds for greater visibility and impact. It is however to be noted, their craft is what sells them as well as draw the attention of the world to their works.

All of them are imbued with the finest of craft in their mouths and with their working tools. Since their elevations, their proteges have inundated media spaces with what they have been blessed with; but more for coming under their tutelage while in school.

But, it is important to note the quality of scholarship they brought to bear since joining the staff of the two departments in the University.

Those who have felicitated with them on their elevation, say they are not surprised; given their diligence and sheer commitment to academics. Now that the feat has been attained, the other caps being awaited will come without any hassles, knowing that they deserve such.

Let me state without being invidious, the trio are ‘home boys’; one should be proud of. The reader will soon get to know, and appreciate why they are referred to as ‘home boys’.

Ezekiel Ademola Major Adeyi is from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, but was born in Mangu Halle, and had his primary education at Baptist Transfered Primary school Dorowa Babuje, Barakin Ladi LGA Plateau State. He attended Ogbomoso Grammar school, Ogbomoso in the then Western state.

He is now a Professor of Governance, Identity Politics and Development Communication, and the current Head of the Department of Political Science all of the University of Jos.

Both of his parents were buried in Mangu, Halle. He joined the Nigeria Tribune in 1987, moved to Punch 1994, and then to Tell Magazine 1999. Major left for University of Jos in 2004.

Taye Obateru is from Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. He joined Vanguard in April 1987 and was in Ilorin until he was transferred to Jos in November 1987.

For many years, he was Deputy News Editor, Middle Belt for Vanguard Newspaper. He is now a Professor of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies.

The last of the ‘home boys’ but certainly not the least, Godfrey Dana’an is from Kwalla, Qua’an -Pan LGA of Plateau State.

He is the second child of a Catechist who worked with the Catholic missionaries in Kwande. Had he not set sight on academics, he would have been a priest; taking after the vocation of his father.

His primary and secondary schools were at Transfer/RCM School Kwalla and St. Murumba’s College, Jos.

He joined The Nigeria Standard in 1999 and left for the University of Jos in 2004. He was secretary of PPC Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. It was in PPC that he enrolled for the bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication at Unijos.

It was also at PPC that he volunteered to join the team that established The Word of Life newspaper (a publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos) and became the editor of the newspaper after the death of Mr. Peter Kuptong.

Dana’an prepared for the journey in journalism. Consider these: Diploma in Mass Communication (Unijos), BA Mass Communication (Unijos), MA Mass Communication (UNN), PhD Media and Cultural Studies (University of Salford, Manchester, UK).

Together with Taye Obateru, he also received professional training at the Scripps College of Communication, Ohio University. They are both beneficiaries of the Salford and Ohio training programmes.

Promoted to the rank of Associate Professor on October 1, 2020. The current promotion is Professor of Communication and Media Studies, with effect from October 1, 2023.

Dana’an currently Heads the Department of Mass Communication, University of Jos, having assumed this position in May 2021 and was re-elected for another two years in 2023.

Dana’an is a visiting professor at PLASU, National Open University, National Film Institute Jos and St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos, and was also a visiting lecturer at Bingham University, Karu.

From the family of the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, their hardwork, dedication and commitment to excellence in Journalism have been acknowledged and celebrated.

There is everything right for them ‘to continue to impact lives by imparting knowledge and building the capacities of young persons to meet current challenges, particularly in the media industry, in line with global standards’.

Being aware they are NUJ’s ambassadors on the campus; they’re first treated as journalists, on account of their pride in the profession.

It is acknowledged that there are a lot more of young journalists who are going to be shepherded in the industry by them in the years ahead.

It is a milestone, for which Journalists are proud of; knowing that this elevation to their new rank may ‘raise the level of the teaching, mentorship, guidance and example you have sacrificed for all these past years’.

This, for me, and perhaps for many more, to celebrate them; is to task them further. They will be able to overcome, knowing them as we do.