By Mustafa Abubakar  and Abubakar Abdulquadri

The Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (CIS), University of Ilorin, has held its 2026 Annual Cleaning Exercise, with a call on other Departments, Faculties and members of the University community to emulate its culture of environmental sanitation to foster institutional pride.

The exercise, which took place last Tuesday, (January 20, 2026) at the Faculty premises, attracted 300-level students of the Department, who actively participated in the sanitation of offices, classrooms and the surrounding environment.

Addressing the participants, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi, disclosed that the Faculty recently received commendation at a management meeting where the environmental conditions of the various Faculties were reviewed, with CIS emerging top in cleanliness and orderliness, largely due to the consistency of the annual cleaning exercise initiated by the Department.

She noted that the programme has become a defining tradition of the Faculty, projecting it as a model of discipline, responsibility and collective ownership.

Prof. Abdulbaqi added that the Communication and Information Sciences Students Association (CISSA) had expressed readiness to deepen its involvement by ensuring that all Departments in the Faculty participate actively in future.

“For the fact that you are doing it well, the Faculty is appreciated and encouraged to sustain the tradition. This is a culture others should emulate,” she said.

Prof. Abdulbaqi emphasised that education goes beyond academic performance to include character building and positive contribution to society.

She thanked Almighty Allah for sparing the lives of participants and described cleanliness as an act of worship that attracts divine reward.

Quoting a verse of the Holy Qur’an, “Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent and purify themselves,” and a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), which states that “Cleanliness is half of faith,” she urged students to demonstrate their fear of Allah by keeping their environment clean at all times.

She added that the Faculty remains a pride to the University of Ilorin and charged students to defend its image by countering negative narratives, both online and offline.

The Ag. Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Patrick Udende, urged students to practise what they preach as communicators by internalising the values of cleanliness, discipline and responsibility.

He encouraged them to extend the habit beyond the Faculty to their homes, hostels and future workplaces, while also serving as role models to incoming students.

The Coordinator of the exercise and Director of General Studies, Prof. Lambe Kayode Mustapha, described the programme as a long-standing tradition that has entered its second decade.

He said it reflects the Department’s commitment to the principle that “cleanliness is next to godliness” and serves as a platform for instilling civic and environmental consciousness.

Prof. Mustapha, a former Head of the Department of Mass Communication, explained that students of International Communication must view the exercise within the context of cultural diplomacy and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly environmental sustainability, which projects Nigeria’s image to the global community.

Also speaking, Dr Rasak Adisa stressed the importance of reputation management, noting that visitors’ first impressions are shaped by what they see in the environment.

According to him, clean offices, classrooms and conveniences speak volumes about the values and standards of an institution.

Earlier, the Captain of the Class, Joshua Oluwatomisin Akindele, who welcomed his 300-level colleagues to the 2025/2026 edition of the exercise, commended the level of organisation and urged students to see the programme as a collective responsibility.

On his part, Mr Abdulganiy  Adewusi congratulated staff and students for their commitment, describing the exercise as a demonstration of unity and institutional pride.

In her remarks, Mrs Ghaniyah Aderinoye charged the students to remain humble and dedicated, while praying for a successful and rewarding exercise.

Also speaking, Mr Tajudeen Yusuf cautioned participants not to take the programme lightly, urging them to sustain the culture of cleanliness beyond the Faculty environment.

Similarly, Mr Kehinde Idris advised students to carry out the task with passion and discipline, reminding them that they are ambassadors of the University of Ilorin.