‘Our partnership with Radio Netherlands ‘ll help tackle corruption’

Nigerian Tribune, 20 June 2013

Dr Ayo Ojebode

Dr Ayo Ojebode is the Head, Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. He speaks with Adewale Oshodi on the forthcoming collaboration between the department and the Radio Netherlands Worldwide, which he believes would make young people contribute to the war against corruption in Nigeria. Excerpts:

THE department will be collaborating with the Radio Netherlands Worldwide on a youth forum titled, Ending Corruption in Nigeria: What Can Naija Youths Do?, which will be coming up on June 26. What is the whole idea all about?

The Department of Communication and Language Arts and Radio Netherlands Worldwide share a passion which is equipping and enabling citizens to air their views in constructive and safe ways. RNW strives to stimulate online and offline discussions and create platforms for safe interaction among youths in African countries including Nigeria.  In this case the discussion started on the social media when we asked our Facebook friends what topic we should discuss.

We received nearly 300 suggestions from our Facebook fans combined, many of them young Nigerians. After analysing all the comments, we decided to respond to the repeated tip that the proposed discussion forum should address the issue of corruption. Many other relevant suggestions were made, such as terrorism and identity, but we felt it was important to address something that everybody could relate to.    

I understand only about 60 students are being invited for the programme. Why is it selective in nature, when a larger number of students in the department can actually benefit be attending?

We can take slightly more than 60 students but we are unable to cope with a huge crowd because we want an intensely interactive forum. We don’t want just another gathering characterised by noise, side-talks and fanfare and ending just there.

But we live in a virtual world, meaning that students who cannot participate physically in the discussion can participate virtually. Students are encouraged to follow the Twitter debate (via the hashtag #EC4NY). They could post their questions on Facebook to facebook.com/CLA.UINigeria; or forward them as mail to comlangarts@gmail.com.

 

Can you explain how the Department of Communication and Language Arts and the Radio Netherlands Worldwide started this new-found relationship?

Our university is very passionate about internationalisation. Our University’s administration is very concerned about relationships that connect town and gown; theory and practice. This partnership between our Department and Radio Netherlands Worldwide is an example of such relationships.  I was a visiting researcher at the University of Leiden’s African Studies Centre in 2010, in Leiden, Holland. While there, I was interviewed by a staff of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, who then invited me to visit the station at Hilversum, Holland. During a subsequent stay in Holland, I was asked to contribute articles to the Station’s website, and my students made comments en masse on my contributions.

So when that producer enquired whether we might be interested in partnering with them in organising a discussion at the University of Ibadan, I did not hesitate. Mutual trust had long been established, so it was easy to work together.

How do you think the forum will benefit the youth, the department, the institution and Nigeria in general?

There are several ways in which this can benefit the youth and the country. Think of the Nigerian youth. Although they represent more than half of our population and have been constantly told that they are the leaders of tomorrow, they often complain that they’re not heard. In fact, they are robbed of their voices and slots. You remember that the position of the national youth leader of a prominent political party in Nigeria – a slot meant for the youth – is occupied by a 60-year old grandpa! I hope that through the discussion itself, and its prolongation on various national and international media, the voices of the youths will be heard.

Where can people/readers find out more about this debate?

Starting 26 June, we invite everyone to follow the debate and its follow-up discussions on Twitter via the hashtag #EC4NY, which is an abbreviation for ‘ending corruption for Naija youth’. The Radio Netherlands Worldwide will also continue the discussion on its Facebook page. Same will happen on the FB page of our department: facebook.com/CLA.UINigeria.

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