NOUN VC Prof. Olufemi Peters Urges Staff to Maximize Training in Communication Skills

The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has urged the university's Administrative, Higher Executive, and Executive Officers to fully leverage their training to enhance their communication skills. He made this call during the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on “Communication and Report Writing Skills” held at the university's headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Prof. Isaac Sammani Butswat, Peters emphasized the significance of both verbal and written communication, asserting that "written communication is more important." He explained that while verbal errors may go unnoticed, written communication is subject to scrutiny, making accuracy crucial. “Take this training seriously, especially in your report writing,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university's commitment to continuous staff development, stating that training and retraining are essential components of NOUN's vision and mission. He encouraged participants to think creatively and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) effectively, warning against complacency.

Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, the Registrar, expressed gratitude for the Vice-Chancellor's visionary leadership and the institutionalization of staff training. He underscored the training's objective of improving operational practices within the university.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Eunice Riki, Acting Director of Staff Training and Development, represented by Principal Assistant Registrar Mabel Madu, acknowledged the management's commitment to frequent training opportunities. She extended thanks to the facilitators from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the participants for their involvement in the workshop.

The workshop covered a range of topics, including new trends in communication, public speaking, digital communication, interpersonal communication, advanced report writing, and crisis communication best practices. It included interactive sessions and a question-and-answer segment to engage participants fully.

A highlight of the event was the book presentation by Dr. Peter Oyeneye, a facilitator, who recognized Mabel Madu for her contributions to the workshop’s success. He also presented books to two participants, Assistant Registrar Mr. Christian Ojoma Samson and Administrative Officer I Inkus Blessing Amali, for their insightful recaps of the workshop sessions.

As the workshop concluded, participants were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained to foster improvement in their respective roles within the university. The initiative represents NOUN’s ongoing commitment to enhancing staff capabilities and overall institutional effectiveness.