The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has been approved as the host for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO’s) Media and Information Literacy Institute.
Hajo Sani, Nigeria’s ambassador/permanent delegate to UNESCO, announced the approval on Thursday, when she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Olufemi Peters, the vice-chancellor of NOUN.
The visit was to discuss the newly established category two centre of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI).
Sani, who highlighted the significance of the international institute, explained that it would benefit not only Nigeria but also the global community.
“I call for urgent attention to the next steps in the approval process, including the review of the draft agreement and the continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the timely establishment of the institute,” NAN quoted her to have said.
She said the collaboration between the Nigerian government, NOUN and UNESCO is crucial for advancing media literacy education, globally.
“I am very impressed with the commitment of the Nigerian government. It gives me a lot of courage and hope that we are making progress especially with the support of the minister of information, the vice-chancellor and the university committee,” the ambassador said.
“So, for us, it’s really a big achievement. I must also appreciate the Vice-Chancellor, for his leadership and the process of establishing this media institute as Category 2 under the auspices of UNESCO.
“I also want to say thank you to the university and the department of mass media, for the efforts that led to the university’s recognition as a suitable co-host of the media and information literacy institute.”
Responding, Peters expressed gratitude for the visit, while acknowledging the efforts of the federal government, the ministry of information and UNESCO in supporting the establishment of the institute in the country.
He assured the UNESCO’S delegation of NOUN’s commitment to the project, as the institute had already been integrated into the university’s system and structure, for long-term sustainability.
He also assured that the institute would further be strengthened to achieve full autonomy.
“The university has already opened a separate account for the institute’s finances. We have a wide network of study centres with short, medium and long-term programmes which are aligned with UNESCO priorities,” the VC said.
“The National Open University of Nigeria is extremely lucky to have the presence of this institute here and we want to thank the President of the Federal Republic.”
Peters commended the minister of information and national orientation, and his predecessor, Lai Mohammed, for their efforts at ensuring that the institute was established in Nigeria.
