Celebrating 50 Years of Communication: Empowering Futures at the CLA Summit

 

The much anticipated summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Communication and Language Arts Department kicked off with warmth. The event began promptly with the arrival and recognition of distinguished speakers and guests, followed by a warm welcome address from the Head of Department, Dr Bisi Olawuyi. 

Mrs. Adeola Odesanya opened the program with a stirring keynote speech.  She passionately argued that purposeful communication must start from a foundation of empathy, urging communicators to craft content that heals and inspires rather than divides. Mrs. Odesanya warned against succumbing to the pitfalls of digital media, such as misinformation, stating, "a viral post will disappear, but trusted voices remain." She challenged her audience to actively question, challenge, and reshape the digital landscape by verifying facts and avoiding the spread of negativity.

Further, she offered advice for budding communicators on building credibility by highlighting the power of strategic partnerships and meaningful networks. Emphasizing the ethical dimensions of technological advancements, she encouraged responsible AI use in communication practices. In conclusion, Mrs. Odesanya left the audience with a powerful statement: digital media is not merely a wave to ride but a wind we must learn to steer. Her takeaway for the audience  to was prioritize genuine impact over  attention, choose purpose over  trends, and value labove virality.

Following this session, Mr. Mobolaji Oladepo's speech focused on empowering students amid a challenging job market where graduate numbers increase geometrically, yet job opportunities increase arithmetically. He candidly urged students to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable path for self sustenance and shared valuable insights from his personal brand-building journey. His frank advice emphasized the need for young people to stop relying solely on the system and proactively build  their own futures.

After a heartfelt acknowledgment of guests and the capture of memorable moments through photographs, the summit received royal blessings from His Royal Majesty, the Olufon of Ifon in Osun State, via his emissaries. 

The program then transitioned into an interactive panel session featuring Goodness Okusanya, Damilola Oladehin, Esosa Atemgweye, and Aniedi Okorie. This group of individuals  engaged the audience’s questions and debated around the summit’s theme,  they strengthening the summit’s discussions on communication’s role in shaping contemporary mindsets and culture.

Speakers, guests and members of staff engaging