By Sandra Chukwunyere
A brilliant Nigerian Publisher of News Diet, Kenneth Jukpor has achieved an extraordinary academic milestone by earning a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Jukpor, who is also the Secretary, Media and Publicity Committee of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), was one of the graduates at the 55th UNILAG Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, last week.
The maritime journalist, who also doubles as National Media Officer of Youngship Nigeria, expressed delight at the successful completion of the 18-month academic exercise that lingered for more than 3 years courtesy numerous strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“It wasn’t always a smooth ride juggling work life as a journalist in the bustling city of Lagos from 8am to 4pm and functioning as a student between 5pm and 8pm; but with benefit of hindsight, I’d say I got better after the numerous twists and turns in the mould of exams, tests and the numerous assignments,” Jukpor said.
Meanwhile, he described one of the highpoints of the academic journey as a visit to a Lagos colony of lepers in Alabarago community where over 2000 indigent Nigerians live in the most inhumane conditions with majority plagued by leprosy.
“One of our group assignments on Community Journalism led to a visit to the Alabarago community to tell the story of the untold. Alabarago lepers community has over 2000 inhabitants mostly stricken with leprosy as well as survivors. Hundreds of children are without access to education, proper sanitation, clean water and improper diet.”
“As team lead for that group assignment, I inspired the group to go all out to develop quality reports on the plights of that community. We were able to exploit our media connections to have these stories featured prominently on four national dailies and over 15 credible news blogs. After these reports, several non-profit organisations and multinationals have reached out to the lepers community to provide succour.”
He equally noted that another group assignment on advertising generated an Adverting Campaign themed “New Nigeria New Me” that birthed radio jingles, outdoor communication designs via billboards, ecards, TV commercials, etc, that were utilised by the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, among other individuals and groups.
Meanwhile, Jukpor noted that findings in research project work titled: “Perception and Public Relations Practices of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos” showed that Customs officials display poor conduct in dealing with travellers, are prone to bribery, lack transparency and deploy poor public relations.
“In my research which sampled over 300 respondents, I found that factors influencing the perception of Customs at MMIA include; inadequate equipment, bribery, and poor public relations. Although the existing Public Relations practices at the NCS include; fliers, social media, billboards, press releases as well as traditional media, the NCS needs to improve its visibility across all channels.
“NCS Public Relations activities at MMIA aren’t effective in explaining the Service activities and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at the airport. I recommended strategic and effective PR activities, frequent staff training on efficiency and discipline, implementation and enforcement of anti-bribery measures, and acquisition of modern equipment to improve Customs operations and her Public Relations activities at MMIA,” he posited.
