The National Film Institute (NFI), located in Jos, Plateau State has matriculated Two Hundred and Thirty-Nine of its students ahead of their four-year degree programme in film production, with a call on them to take their academic pursuits with utmost seriousness, dedication and concentration.
The matriculation ceremony which took place at the new auditorium of institute’s permanent site (Jos) on Friday January 19th, 2024 was for the 2021/2022- 2022/2023 academic sessions.
In a statement released by Mr Brian Etuk, the media officer of Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) the agency that oversees tbe film institute, the Rector of the Institute, Prof. Jeremiah Methuselah charged the students to be of good conduct and shun all anti-academic behaviors. He emphasized that the nation and indeed the world awaits them to unleash their potentials in uplifting the capabilities, growth and contributions of the film industry to the national and global economy upon graduation.
The Matriculation ceremony, with the oath taking exercise by the students as its highpoint, he said, is “fundamental to your academic journey”, and therefore compulsory for new students admitted into the Institute. On behalf of the outgoing Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute/Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, and the incoming Chairman of the Institute’s Governing Council/Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Mr. Ali Nuhu; Prof. Methuselah, also thanked the University of Jos, which the Institute is affiliated, as well as parents, guardians and other regular guests for their continuous support towards the growth of NFI, Nigeria’s premier film institute, that has since in establishment in 1995 trained several Nigerians and foreigners alike, who have become professionals in film production,.
Also speaking at the ceremony Dr. Nancy King, Head of Department of Theater & Film Arts, University of Jos, assured the students of the provision of excellent learning opportunities and mentorship while at the National Film Institute. Dr. King equally charged the students to strive for lofty heights. “You are matriculating into the society of academics world-wide”, she said; just as she reminded them of being embodiments of creativity and content creators. She warned of the dire consequences of unruly behaviour, stressing zero tolerance for any misconduct by any student. Dr. Nancy King was represented by Dr. Ephraim Dankyes.
The Matriculation ceremony which was coordinated by the offices of the Vice Chancellor, and that of the Registrar, University of Jos and led by Mrs. Timbyen Rindop – Secretary, Senate Committee on Affiliation, was preceded by a Pre- Matriculation Lecture and Orientation for the freshmen, on Thursday, January 18, 2024. The Pre-matriculation lecture titled: “Higher Education in Nigeria: Understanding the Past, Interrogating the Present and Predicting the Future” was delivered by Professor Edward Ossai of the Plateau State University, Bokkos.
Prof. Ossai, commended the NFI for among others, sustaining and constantly improving on its training module, academic standard and academic curriculum, given the emerging paradigm shift, emphasis and gravitation towards skilled and entrepreneurial endeavours. According to him, in the next 5-20 years, it is expected that there will be a decline in the interest for non-skilled academic certificate programmes in higher institutions worldwide; given the emergence of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
The matriculation ceremony was attended by principal officers, lecturers of both the National Film Institute and University of Jos; Management of the Nigerian Film Corporation, parents, guardians, and friends of the students that matriculated.
