ACSPN awards fellow status for the first time in Nigeria
The Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), during its 14th annual conference in Abuja on September 2, awarded fellow status to representatives of academia and the media for the first time in its 14-year history. The distinction was granted for professional achievements, scholarly work, ethical leadership, institutional service, and contributions to the development of journalism and communications.
Premium Times Nigeria reports on the ceremony. ACSPN President Rotimi Williams Olatunji, a professor of public relations and advertising at Lagos State University, said that fellow status is not only recognition of achievements but also a responsibility for the future development of the profession.
New fellows of the association
Those honored include Umaru Pate, former vice-chancellor of the Federal University Kashere in Gombe State and chairman of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). The status was also awarded to former Caleb University vice-chancellor Nosa Owens-Ibie, deputy vice-chancellor of Paul University in Awka Chinyere Stella Okunna, and ACSPN President Rotimi Williams Olatunji.
The first fellows also included Premium Times publisher and CJID chief executive officer Dapo Olorunyomi, as well as journalist, editor, and author Lanre Idowu. According to the association, the work of the two media leaders has contributed to the development of professional standards, innovation, media freedom, and understanding of the role of the media in a democratic society.
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Other honors at the ceremony
ACSPN separately presented an award for outstanding contribution to the development of communication and media scholarship and the profession in Nigeria to Umaru Pate, Nosa Owens-Ibie, and Dapo Olorunyomi. Speaking on behalf of the three laureates, Olorunyomi thanked the association and promised to continue supporting the development of the scholarly and professional communications sphere.
The event also honored three former ACSPN leaders: current chairman of the board of trustees Iddowu Sobowale, as well as professors Dayo Alao and Lai Oso posthumously. Alao was a former vice-chancellor of Adeleke University in Ede, while Oso died in a road accident in June 2023.
According to Olatunji, the selection of candidates for fellow status will take into account professional achievements, contributions to scholarship, ethical leadership, innovation, mentoring, service to the association and the profession, advocacy for media freedom, and public contribution.
