By Joseph N. Chukwu
The management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has pledged its support to the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) as the university prepares to host the Association’s annual workshop in July.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Elom, made this known through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Abel Ezeoha, when he received members of the Ebonyi State Chapter of ACSPN in his office.
Prof. Elom commended the Association for its clear vision, mission, and objectives, noting that they align with the global trend of developing well-rounded communicators in the digital age and era of artificial intelligence.
He disclosed that the university was at an advanced stage of unbundling the Mass Communication department in line with the National Universities Commission (NUC) directive, with increased investment in human resources and infrastructure to support the expected expansion.
Describing the choice of AE-FUNAI as host for the upcoming workshop as a welcome development, the Vice Chancellor assured the Association of the university’s support within its available resources, citing the workshop’s academic and professional benefits.
Earlier in her remarks, the leader of the ACSPN delegation and Deputy National President II, Prof. Ifeyinwa Nsude, said the visit was to formally inform the university of its partnership with the Department of Mass Communication to host the 2025 edition of the ACSPN Empowerment Workshop Series.
She explained that ACSPN, established in 2012, aims to bring together media professionals, communication scholars, and students to foster synergy, enhance productivity, and improve teaching and learning.
Prof. Nsude highlighted the Association’s three signature programmes — the Eminent Persons Series, the Empowerment Series, and the History Series — which involve inviting thought leaders to inspire members and students. She revealed that this year’s workshop, which falls under the Eminent Persons Series, would focus on Media, Security, and Artificial Intelligence.
She also requested the university’s assistance hosting the event and formally invited the Vice Chancellor to declare the workshop open. Prof. Nsude commended the Vice Chancellor for the remarkable infrastructural growth of AE-FUNAI, which she noted had significantly boosted the institution’s academic standing.
She further urged the university to embrace the unbundling of Mass Communication, in which ACSPN has played a leading advocacy role.
Members of the ACSPN delegation included the Ebonyi State Coordinator, Dr. Joseph N. Chukwu, who is also the Head of the Department of Mass Communication at AE-FUNAI; the chapter Secretary, Dr. Wealth Udoh of the Public Relations Unit at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki; and other staff members from the university’s Mass Communication Unit.
A highlight of the visit was the presentation of ACSPN publications donated by the national body, led by its President, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji.