The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Jalingo, and the Taraba State Broadcasting Service (TSBS), have expressed their readiness to support and partner with the Jalingo Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), through consistent coverage of the university's activities within the state and its environs.

The two stations made this known in separate forums when the study centre director, Mr. Bala Lazarus Sabo, led a team of staff to the stations on courtesy visits.

While at the TSBS, Jalingo, the General Manager, Mr. David Nya, commended the various academic programmes of the university and its flexibility, as he quickly introduced the advocacy team to the director in charge of Educational Programmes.

Nya ordered that a weekly programme be kick-started to help inform the general public about NOUN activities. 

He suggested that an advert should be prepared and aired at the station from time to time to create awareness around Jalingo town and its environs.

The manager assured the station's readiness to collaborate with the centre in aggressive public enlightenment of its services and activities for the development of humanity.

While at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Jalingo, the General Manager, Hajiya Nihad Isa Umar, expressed appreciation for the visit and promised to encourage staff of the station to enrol at the centre.

She thanked the management and staff of Jalingo Study Centre for standing with her when she was studying for her MSc. programme at centre.

The NTA boss in the state said the station will collaborate with the study centre to make people more enlightened about the operations of the university in the state as she invited the visitng director to feature in one of the famous programmes of station "Guest of the Week" to sensitise people of Jalingo on the activities of the university.

Earlier, the acting director, Mr. Bala Lazarus Sabo briefed the audience on the activities of NOUN, and the advantages involved in studying with the university. 

He emphasised, among other things, the mandate of the university, which is to make higher education easy and accessible to all Nigerians.

Sabo also said that the university is flexible and affordable, reiterating that the institution is not a part-time or an online university.

He said a lot of people have some misconceptions about the institution, hence the need for the advocacy. 

"All our programmes are duly accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the certificate is recognised everywhere in the world," the director said.

He, therefore, sought for partnership with the two media stations with a view to amplifying the activities of the university all over the state, taking into cognizance the wide coverage of the NTA and TSBS.

The student’s counsellor of the centre, Mrs. Akafa Nyangwae, spoke on the capacity of university, which does not require JAMB or catchment area advantage, adding that the institution was designed to cater for the educational needs of all citizens.

On his part, the accountant, Mr James Ijayida Margimari, emphasised the university's affordability, cost effectiveness and strengthened on the point of the e-wallet.