The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO Club, University of Abuja, has organised a one day conference to deliver lecture on Media and information literacy for sustainable development.

Dr Ranti Ojo, a Lecturer in History and Diplomatic Studies and Founder, Coordinator of UNESCO Club,  University of Abuja said the topic was chosen to bring attention to the relevance and roles of the media and information literacy in the development of Nigeria.
"In Nigeria, almost everybody with handset/cellphone is an independent journalists that disseminates news without being censored,  screened,scrutinized by any regulatory body. Most of these news are incisive,inflammatory,  fake,  unfounded or propaganda which may lead to severe misinformation with grave consequences such as conflicts and wars". He
said.

According to him, he said that promoting peace and sustainable development among civilizations, cultures and peoples of Nigeria and beyond lies at the very heart of UNESCO';s mandate and constitutes a key component of its objectives and activities.
The event which took place at Management Science Hall, University of Abuja main Campus drew participants from the Club,  Academia, Diplomats, Technocrats, experts and government.
Dr Ranti said that there is no gain saying the fact that information, communication and empowerment are the bedrock of development.

"information is a very powerful force that influences all strata of life ranging from politics, economy, socio-cultural and infrastructure. Research has shown that over 75% of Nigeria';s population have access to telephone, cellphones and internet. Hence we need to be educated on how, why, where, who, when to circulate information for a sustainable development in Nigeria". He said.

Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof, Michael Adikwu represented by Barr Godwin in his opening speech said that anything that concerns youth, peace and stability is what Prof Adikwu stands for. He appreciates and commend the body commiting the Nigerian youths to imbibe the ideals and ideas that hold and bound the United Nations. He urged the students to listen attentively as this will prepare them for the role ahead in the international community when the need arise.
UNESCO regional office Nigeria represented by Mr Anthony Oguniyi, said that UNESCO has come to show solidarity with the club and their commitment to the development of young people all over the world.
"Indeed we have chosen to reflect on media and information literacy as tool to sustaining development goals. UNESCO has 17 SDGs, they are all important interrelated interconnected and essential for the development of our world". He said.
He stated that the reason why some of the SDGs goals where not achieved as reported by schorlars and technocrats was the role of media and information literacy.
"So when we saw the team for this conversation we realized that the almighty slogan of SDG is actually tripling down to the grassroots and universities and even to the community with the purpose of leaving no one behind".
He reiterate the support of UNESCO and  the expansion of partnership with university of Abuja to achieve their goals.
According to him,  he said "Information sharing has grown on faster space with use of social media and other medium,  some of the information are shared with good intentions while others are negative intents".
He charged the media and individual who have access to tools such as handsets and tech devises who have now become  journalists to disseminate acurrate information and disregard ones that cause hate and conflict in the society. To achieve the goals of SDG such medium is  to be used to disseminate proper information for sustainable development.
In the same vein,  Dr Okolobia Adakole, senior lecturer of theatre department, while delivering his lecture said he teaches media and he knows the role of media in development. He said development in his opinion is starting from bottom ladder to the top of whatever you do.
Citing the example that a students in the University must start from hundred level to  final year, he can only pass by improving himself to attain higher level, or withdrawn at two hundred level if he performed below grades while others move ahead with good grades,  so is applicable to the society. We expand our horizon and build up on it. Adding that for it to be sustainable you have to continue to maintain it.

He advised that for the SDG to achieved it';s goals we should develop the harbit of maintenance, as it is said that Nigeria lack maintenance culture.
He charged both the traditional media and new media,  internet, social media and other social platforms who are trained and those who are not trained taking the role of media person to disseminate information that will not cause disunity of the nation rather promote unity and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, National Communication Commission, NCC, represented by Ms Tura educated  the students on Telecomunication  services on unsolicited commercial communication such as messages, voice or SMS, made through Telecom service.
She said that NCC is charged with the responsibility to protect subscribers from this unwholesome practice, directed all mobile network operators to dedicate a short code 2442 to enable subscribers take informed but independent decision on what messages they wish to receive from the network.
NCC offered eight slots of scholarships to the raffle draw winners and Helping Hand foundation gave two schorlarships during the conference to encourage students to achieve the SDG goals in education.