Campus News

Foreign students tasked on effective networking

By Abubakar Imam

The General Manager of UNILORIN 89.3 FM, Mr Idris Akintola Ibrahim (Alooma), has encouraged foreign students pursuing one academic programme or the other at the University of Ilorin to make proper use of their sojourn in the institution by ensuring that they mix very well with their colleagues from other socio-cultural backgrounds for their own benefits and attendant international cooperation.

Mr Alooma gave this advice penultimate Monday (June 23, 2025) while playing host to a delegation of staff and students of the University’s Linguistic Immersion Centre (LMC) that visited the radio station.

He explained that apart from learning the English Language, foreign students should also expose themselves to proficiency in Yoruba Language and the general culture of the University community and its host.

Mr Alooma urged the foreign students to also expose themselves to broadcasting by applying for one form of internship programme or the other at the radio station as he said that the station has trained many students of the University who are, today, shining stars in the nation’s broadcasting industry.

While encouraging them to always tune to the station for quality education, information and entertainment programmes, the ace broadcaster also encouraged them to come up with programme proposals.

Mr Alooma also enjoined students to serve as good ambassadors of their various countries at the University and in Nigeria at large, saying that if they play that role effectively the University would be confident that they would also project its good image effectively on their return to their respective countries after graduation.

Speaking earlier, the Director of the Centre, Prof. Badmas Olanrewaju Yusuf, said that the visit was informed by the need for the foreign students to familiarise themselves with the station and those who operate it.

Prof. Yusuf, who was represented by an Assistant Director at the Centre, Dr Segun Oyelabi, said that the Centre was specifically created to grant students from Non-English speaking countries the opportunity of gaining proficiency in English Language, which would aid effective learning.

The Director said that most of the students are from French-speaking countries and have shown determination to learn the English Language and also expose themselves to other forms of learning that would assist them in future.

Prof. Yusuf, who is a former top official of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), also thanked the radio station and the Directorate of Corporate Affairs at large for the quality coverage often given to the programmes and activities of the Centre over the years.