IMAP Lafia Sets Up Community Radio to Boost Hands-On Training for Mass Comm Students
Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia is taking a big step toward practical learning — the institution has acquired equipment to set up its own community radio station for Mass Communication students.
The Rector, Associate Professor Nurudeen Mua’zu Maifata, revealed this when the management team of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), led by Executive Vice Chairman Awwalu Salihu, paid him a courtesy visit.
Describing NBS as a trusted source of accurate and reliable information for Nasarawa residents and neighboring states, Prof. Maifata said the new community radio will give Mass Communication students real-world broadcast experience to match the theory they learn in class.
The Rector also shared other major strides the Polytechnic is making. He announced that the school recently got approval to start a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Journalism and Media Studies, alongside new Engineering programmes. On skills development, he noted that IMAP is currently training students through programmes sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET). He pledged closer collaboration with NBS to better publicize the institution’s activities and achievements.
Earlier, NBS Executive Vice Chairman Awwalu Salihu said the visit was to appreciate the Rector and his team for producing graduates with strong theoretical and practical grounding. He pointed out that NBS itself has benefited from IMAP alumni who now work at the station.
Salihu added that NBS regularly hosts IMAP students from Mass Communication and Engineering departments for their Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). With that long-standing relationship, he said, both organizations should deepen ties to support each other’s goals.
The visit happened to coincide with another: Professor Lawal Umar, President of the Nigeria Library Association, also stopped by with his team to congratulate Prof. Maifata on his appointment as Rector. He described the appointment as well-deserved — a sentiment the Rector warmly acknowledged.
The planned community radio station is expected to serve as both a training hub for students and a voice for the campus community, while strengthening IMAP Lafia’s drive for practical, skill-based education.
