Stanislaus Orjighjigh Iyorza, a Professor of Media, Change and Development Communication in the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has called for a mandatory use of a local dialect for admission into Nigerian universities.

He stated this while presenting the 142nd inaugural lecture of the University of Calabar with the topic: “Communicating Change And Development in Nigeria’s Media Spaces: Bridging the Participatory Lacuna.”

According to Prof Iyorza, “local dialect proficiency has become imperative due to the anticipated paradigm shift in change and development communication which will require intensive communication in local dialects, especially among rural people and the illiterate.

“There is a need to prioritize local dialect in schools. The Federal Government should compel the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to make a credit pass in every candidate’s local dialect compulsory for University education,” he said.

He highlighted the need to train young and vibrant speakers of local dialects for persuasive speeches in their localities while also tasking the federal government to encourage the mastery of all communication skills among citizens as change and development require effective communication.

The University Don also recommended that state governments set up or revive radio stations, allocating 70% of airtime to community-based programs that will be more instructional for audience participation in change and development. (The Sun)