JUST IN: OSPOLY MAOS Holds One-Day Seminar For All Mass Comm Graduating Students

By Abraham Asiyanbi, Fathia Abdulsalam

Mass Communication Alumni Association of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree (MAOS) under the leadership of Mr. Adekunle Sikiru as the National President, has organized one-day seminar for the Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) graduating students of the institution.

The seminar themed "Exploring Solution Journalism For National Development," went down today Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at the New Lecture Hall (NLH1) of the institution.

According to Sikiru, during his speech at the seminar, he acknowledged the presence of some dignitaries at the programme ranging from the Rector of OSPOLY, represented by Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Tope Abiola, Dean of FICT, Mr. Stephen Oladoye, Mass Communication HOD, Dr. Akinrosoye, Dr. Aderemi Adeagbo, DPT Mass Communication Coordinator, Multimedia Technology acting HOD, Mrs. Adeleke-Sola Dupe, MAOS Executives Members, Discussants just to mention a few.

MAOS National President, Mr. Adekunle Sikiru (Abacus).

Thereafter, he noted that MAOS, Mass Communication Alumni of OSPOLYIree, is the only departmental association that creates, sustains and promotes fellowship and social mutual relationship among all ND and HND graduates of OSPOLY.

"The primary objectives of this great association includes but not limited to: providing opportunities for members, supporting good motives of individuals to achieve better future and contributing positively towards the development of the association, the department, our Alma Mater and the society at large," he said.

He averred that the theme "Exploring Solution Journalism For National Development," is an appropriate topic, addressing the issue of fact-checking on news gathering and processing.

Adekunle, however, highlighted the achievements of MAOS since its establishment in 2011 which include: Annual Late Feranmi Scholarship Awards to best graduating Mass Communication students; Procurement of a one million naira Generating Set to power Mass Communication Studios and Launching of OSPOLY Online Radio in 2022; Employment opportunities for members; Annual AGM/Convention amongst others.

He then appealed to all graduating students to associate with MAOS and think of how they can give back to their alma mater and the department that have contributed largely to their lives.

In a related development, while speaking on the theme of the seminar, the guest speaker, the General Manager of Chriced Radio Abuja, Mr. Busuyi Omoniyi Kolawole, emphasized that solution journalism is evidence-based reporting, focusing on responses to social problems, adding that solution journalism mainly focuses on how and why a solution works.

He highlighted the differences between Solution Journalism and Public Relations: Solution Journalism inform with evidence-based reporting on responses to problems while Public Relations promote a person, brand, or organisation; SoJo shows strengths and weaknesses while PR highlights only positives; SoJo focuses on what works, how, and why, with data while PR shapes perception and building goodwill; SoJo holds solution providers to account while PR protects solution providers from criticism.

He similarly explained distinctions between Solution Journalism and Investigative Reporting. He also said why Solution Journalism matters is about the shift in public discourse from blame to solutions, informing policymakers by showing what works and empowering citizens through examples. Busuyi added that skills diversification, credibility boost, professional networks, deeper impact and others, matters for self development as Journalists.

The HOD of Mass Communication, Dr. Idowu Akinrosoye, while speaking, noted that OSPOLY is the first Polytechnic in Nigeria that joined the unbundling of Mass Communication (Journalism and Media Studies and Strategic Communication), adding that Film Production and Multimedia Technology Department will soon be accredited.

HOD of Mass Communication, Dr. Akinrosoye while speaking.

He expounded that Solution Journalism is not a type of Journalism identifying, recognizing, pinpointing, or correcting problems, rather, it is a type of Journalism that tends to provide and proffer solutions to the identified problems.

Mr. Olutobi Michael, from Orisun Igbomina FM, a discussant at the Seminar similarly spoke extensively on "Advertising in Mass Communication Society At Large." He underscored Nigeria's advertising industry and their agencies, advertising regulations, how to add values to certification.