Douglas Blessing
The International Communication Association (ICA) has set aside Thursday March 24, this year for the inauguration of its Nigeria regional chapter in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
The ICA President, Noshir Contractor who disclosed this said the inauguration will be held as a kick-off-event for the ICA internationalisation initiative.
The regional chapters, according to the ICA president, will recruit local, regional members and organise events that will help to build community among undergraduate and graduate students and faculties of communication in their respective locations globally.
He said “This is indeed, a case of ‘one good turn deserving another’ as the approval of ICA Nigeria Chapter as one of only six sites worldwide outside the United States of America, especially in the global South is a result of the impressive performance of hosting the Regional Hub in Port Harcourt in 2022.
Contractor who described the Coordinator of ICA Nigeria Chapter, Ms Ekaete George as a huge opportunity, expressed gratitude to her and the University of Port Harcourt for their efforts that accounted for the enormously successful Port Harcourt Regional Hub.
Speaking on the event, Ms George said the new ICA Nigeria Chapter will serve as an additional global platform for members to make their voices and research impactful in the global knowledge arena.
Ms George describes “ICA Nigeria as a multidisciplinary, academic membership association for scholars in the study, teaching, and application of all aspects of mediated communication; and a knowledge hub for communication scholars and media practitioners in Nigeria”.
On keeping the ICA Nigeria afloat, Ms George remains optimistic of recording even greater successes in the future. She credited the progress made so far to the commitment of the ICA community of like minds that she has been organising since 2022.
The coordinator of the ICA Nigeria, who is enthusiastic of a vista of opportunities for members, enjoined her colleagues to remain passionate about Association in Nigeria, to maximise their access to cutting edge research in communication, access to the best leaders, thinkers and teachers across the world.
“This is indeed, a welcome development especially for communication scholars in Nigeria, including graduate and undergraduate students of communication studies and related disciplines, as well as media professionals who stand to have their voices heard on the global platform of ICA.
“We will keep our focus on the latter, while seeking partnership and support from those who want to better our communications community in terms of sponsorship, access to academic resources, and other opportunities that will allow us to be locally impactful and globally relevant”, Ms George added.
