A former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, yesterday carpeted the nation’s universities.
Many of them, he said, are producing certificated illiterates.
He spoke at an International conference and book presentation in honour of a foremost Professor of Mass Communication, Sylvanus Ekwelie at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State.
The conference, with the theme: "Advocacy Journalism and National Development," was organised by UNIPORT’s Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies (LCS).
The Director of Lagos Business School, spoke on: "Critical Journalism and Development."
He said: "Most Nigerians are busy doing wrong things and expect right answers and development. It is not possible.
‘’Development must be built around institutions, which are important for growth. Investment in human capital is also essential. Making right policies alone may not bring about development.
"The wealth of the nation must be based on human capital. Those at the helm of affairs are not adhering to the UNESCO’s recommendation on budgetary allocation for education, with meager funds being allocated to education and responsible for the present rot in our educational system.
"Values shape human beings. Culture shapes humanity. Politics can shape culture. Leaders shape the country. The challenge in Nigeria is that we have collapse of culture. Investments in infrastructure alone will not make for progress. The funds may end up in the pocket of one man."
Utomi, a Mass Communication graduate of UNN, also expressed concern over the low quality of training of journalists in Nigeria.
The Head, Department of LCS of UNIPORT, Dr. Walter Ihejirika, said:
"The need for journalists to do their work with style and dedication is most needed today in our country. It is unfortunate that many people are beginning to think that the media profession is an all-comers’ affair.
"Anybody with some cash in his or her pocket can wake up and set up a media house. This is unacceptable.
‘’We make the call for proper training of media workers. Government should endeavour to weed out charlatans, who are dabbling in the media world without "requisite qualification."
