At JMC Open Day: Journalism students urged to monetise skills, embrace opportunities online.

The call was made by the Head of Department of JMC, Dr Nengieh Lizzie. She was speaking during the 2023 edition of the Open Day, organised by the Association of Student Journalists of the University of Buea, ASJUB.

The 28^th edition of the student body’s Open Day, was observed under the theme: “Journalism and Mass Communication, a Springboard for Entrepreneurship”.

According to the Head of Department, the Open Day provided the department an opportunity to invite outstanding professionals and entrepreneurs to share their experiences with the students on practical matters. The students also used the event to showcase their talents.

“All of us need to understand that journalism is changing phases because as journalists, if we realise that the financial stance of journalists actually pulls them out of the profession and there is need to call on training that orientates journalists as entrepreneurs,” Dr Nengieh advised the students.

During the event, one of the guest speakers, Charlie Ndi Chia, a veteran journalist and publisher, encouraged students to exploit the entrepreneural space in the profession.

“Journalism per say in Cameroon does not pay except you cut corners by going for the ´gombo´ syndrome to moneybags especially those who have their money through dubious stuffs,” he said.

On his part, Benyella Njeko, another guest speaker, urged the students to be consistent and professional in what they do online.

He stated that journalists have the opportunity to reach people globally as about 99% of youth, according to him have smartphones.

Benyella further encouraged the students to discover their talents and invest in them.

The ASJUB Open Day, which went comatose since the beginning of the Anglophone crisis in 2016 has been rejuvenated with the goal to give students professional gist from experienced journalists and communicators from all walks of life.