Gov Shettima’s spokesman, Isa Gusau bags first-class degree from London University
strategy, Malam Isa Gusau has graduated with first-class degree in
public relations, advertising and digital media at Middlesex
University in London, United Kingdom.
The graduation ceremony took place yesterday at the University's main
campus in Hendon, North London. It was attended by the Pro-Chancellor,
Sir Michael Patridge, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Tim Blackman,
board of governors and other senior officials. The University, with
origin from 1878, runs campuses in Malta, Dubai and Mauritius.
Gusau was in 2017 admitted into Year 3 (the final undergraduate year
in UK) after meeting direct entry qualifications and passed the
University's credibility assessment test. Governor Shettima had
granted his request for study leave and supported him as reward for
loyalty enabling his relocation to London from where he operated as
spokesman throughout his academic year.
As direct entry student, Gusau's previous school records only
qualified him for admission without transfer of academic transcripts.
To achieve his target of getting first class, he needed to obtain
distinction in minimum of 75 percent of all modules (the name for
subjects) after first and second semester assessments.
Normally, assessment for every subject is marked by three persons: the
tutor, a different lecturer and an external marker. All must agree
before scores are ratified by the academic board.
Gusau surpassed the minimum requirement by obtaining distinction in
all subjects (representing 100%) at the end of the two semesters. His
dissertation, which markers rated as being "far above undergraduate
standard" was graded 1/20, the highest category of distinction. The
University's distinction starts from 1 to 4.
The dissertation, it is presumed, could be the first major academic
research that is specific on examining areas of convergence,
interdependence, influences and conflicts between Nigerian journalists
and public relations intermediaries (like media managers,
spokespersons to Government and private institutions or persons).
Gusau argued in his abstract, that whereas in Europe and United
States, there exist "more than 100 years of research into
relationships between PR intermediaries and journalists", in the case
of Nigeria, there is dearth of such research because most existing
research narrowed focus on relationships between journalists and
prominent public and private news-makers while ignoring the role of PR
intermediaries, who in actual sense relate with journalists on behalf
of those prominent news-makers.
In his work, Gusau cited more than 100 academic books and journals
published by leading authors around the world, including Nigerian
academics.
He combined qualitative and quantitative research methods by
interviewing and observing a sample of PR intermediaries and senior
journalists from different sections of Nigeria and also did content
analysis of three newspapers: Thisday, Nigerian Tribune and Daily
Trust, to compare thousands of news elements with interview findings
and literature. The dissertation is being reviewed for publication by
a UK based academic journal for reference by academics around the
world.
However, some advantages contributed to Gusau's performance in London.
From his personal records, about 20 years ago Gusau was among the
three overall best graduating students of Mass Communication for his
HND class in Kaduna Polytechnic. He holds PGD and Masters Degree in
Industrial and Labour Relations from University of Maiduguri. Gusau
has also attended different courses with certificates on Creative
Writing from University of Cambridge in UK; Leadership and persuasive
communication from Harvard University in Massachusetts, USA;
reputation branding, media relations and political communication from
Thompson Reuters in New York, USA.
Also, his membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
(CIPR) and Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA),
both in UK, gives him access to online and practical training
opportunities.
Gusau has also attended more than 20 other training programmes mostly
in Nigeria with at least ten of them sponsored by Daily Trust for
categories of staff. They include decision making, team work and
budget management in work place conducted by the Nigerian Institute of
Management in Abuja; effective communication and subordinates'
supervision conducted by Kaduna Business School in Kaduna; strategies
of highly effective leadership conducted by Research-Training &
Leadership (RESTRAL) at a management retreat in Cotonou, Benin
Republic; skills for ground breaking political reporting taught by
Professor Idowu Shobowale in Abuja; Legal provisions and ethical news
reporting conducted by Rickey Tarfa's Law chambers in Lagos.
Gusau's working experience and personal achievement also gave him some
advantage. During his NYSC in Taraba State, he combined primary
assignment with freelance journalism.
At passing out parade, he was among five recipients of the NYSC state
director's certificate of commendation. Gusau was employed by Daily
Trust three months before he completed service. Ten years at Daily
Trust, he was first to win the Board Chairman's star award and cash
prize for integrity in the journalists' category. He was also
recipient of the Editor In Chief's letter of commendation and cash
reward for integrity. He had received series of commendations from the
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for prudence,
transparency, accountability and productive management of regional
offices in Maiduguri and Port Harcourt.
He also received performance based incentives and accelerated
promotions. He joined Borno government in March, 2012. He has been
practicing public relations in more than six years before going to
study it in London. His travels to about 22 countries as journalist
and government media coordinating delegate for numerous activities
that include UN summits, US-Nigeria Bi national commission meetings,
security summits and bilateral discussions may have also worked for
him.
Notwithstanding these advantages, Gusau's student- record showed
extreme dedication in London. He was one of the very few students with
100% attendance record for lectures, seminars and field trips. His
school record also show that at different times he applied and held
one-on-one tutorials on academic writing offered free of charge by
experts in the University's learning enhancement team at the library,
who support students aiming high marks by improving their skills in
research-based academic writing.
No comments
Post a Comment