The Students' Media and Information Literacy Club, University of Ibadan under the flagship of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization (UNESCO), on Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20, 2023, organized a 2-day empowerment/awareness programe for her members and attendees.
The event, held at the UI SRC Chambers, Student Union Building (SUB), themed 'Empowering young people in achieving the Abuja Declaration on Media and Information Literacy', was aimed at enlightening and empowering participating students and members of the club with the knowledge and capacity to advocate and sustain awareness about the Abuja Declaration on Media and information literacy.
The Student's Media and Information Literacy Club (SMILC) UI, was founded by two alumni of the University, Korede Ajibona, the Managing Director and Josiah Obong, the Executive Director, Mr. Josiah Obong. It is an African youth-led organization empowering young people across different disciplines with media and information literacy skills and the capacity to advocate for media and information literacy in their various communities, to fight against misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories through a variety of initiatives, including conferences, workshops, and university-based chapters.
The first day of the event, was focused on the advocacy of the need & importance of Media and Information Literacy (MIL), in the society. With three speakers present at the event, students were encouraged to become literates on the importance of Media and Information Literacy, in the society.
Present there was Mr. Daniel Nwaeze, the community engagement manager of 'One Young World' and Cordinator, UNESCO Youth MIL Committee, who spoke on misinformation, making a distinction between misinformation, disinformation and Malinformation; the deliberate dissemination of true information but in an exaggerated manner. He advocated the need for carefulness when sharing news or sharing information to people.
Also present was Mr Ayotunde Ikulamberu, the founder/Executive Director of Educaind Education Initiate (EEI), who shared his experience on establishing media and information literacy clubs in primary, secondary schools, the effective strategies for advocating media and information and Dr. Sharon Omotoso, the Coordinator of the Women's Research Center, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, who spoke on the need for Young people to augment their skills and be change makers in their circle of influence and communities, while also spreading the gospel of Media and information literacy.
The second day had only 10 participants in attendance and consisted of the key members of the SMILC club. Activities, here, were focused on pointing out the effective strategies for securing funds for media and information activities, mapping out the challenges and innovative ways to champion Media & Information Literacy in different universities and sustainable ways to fund their clubs.
By Okocha Josephine & Testimony Onigbinde.
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