REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK

EXPERIENCE (SIWES)

UNDERTAKEN AT

VOICE OF NIGERIA

IKOYI, LAGOS STATE

BY

NAME: SAVAGE MARIAM ASHABI

MATRICULATION NUMBER: 18/COMAS/MAC/012

PROGRAMME: MASS COMMUNICATION

FROM: NOVEMBER, 2021 TO FEBRUARY, 2022

SUBMMITED TO

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION

SUMMIT UNIVERSITY OFFA

OFFA, KWARA STATE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Table of content

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Description of the establishment

1.1 Location and brief history of the establishments

1.3 Organogram

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 SIWES Activities

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 SIWES Activities

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Summary

4.2 Problem encountered during the programme

4.3 Conclusion

4.4 Recommendation

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background

Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme is a skills training programme designed to

expose and prepare students of universities, polys etc. for the industrial works they are likely

to meet after graduation. It also affords students opportunity of familiarizing and exposing

themselves to the scheme.

The experience in handling equipment and machinery that is not available in their

institution, exposing students to latest development and technologies,

The early phase of science and technology in Nigeria was characterized by the

theoretical lectures in polytechnics and universities which have proven to be an ill method of

teaching. Students in Universities and Polytechnics graduate with little or no technical

experience in their course of study. In the same vein, students’ inability to contribute to the

society is hampering the growth and development of our country. It was in this view that

SIWES was introduced to the Industrial and Educational sector. SIWES is an acronym for

Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme. SIWES was established in the year 1973 in

order to improve the standard of education in Nigeria in order to achieve the needed

technological advancement.

The scheme started in 1974 with the establishment of Industrial Training Fund (I.T.F)

in 1978 due to financial challenges; SIWES was handed over to National Universities

Commission (N.U.C) and National Board for Technical Education (N.B.T.E) in 1979.

By November 1984, the Federal Government reversed the management and

implementation of SIWES to I.T.F, which completely took over the funding of the

programme. A legal backing was given to SIWES, the Decree 16 of 1984. Provisions made in

the decree include: “All students of specialized discipline such as: Engineering, Technology,

Business, Applied Science and Applied Art programme in higher institutions shall be

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required to have a compulsory supervised industrial attachment as part of their regular studies

in such manner as may be prescribed by their boards or commission”.

SIWES has become a necessary pre-condition of graduation. The program is working with

such disciplines as engineering, medical science, natural science, technology, agriculture,

education, social sciences, environmental, applied science.

The duration of the program can be different, for the universities it's six month, and a year for

college and polytechnics. The program is developed under the guidance of the Ministry of

Education. This is an excellent bridge between theoretical and practical education. SIWES is

working on designing proper programs for exposing students to the industrial workplace

environment. It is all about the development of occupational competence.

1.2 Objectives

• To provide students with industrial skills and needed experience while the course of

study;

• To create conditions and circumstances, which can be as close as possible to the

actual workflow;

• To prepare specialists who will be ready for any working situations immediately after

graduation;

• To teach students the techniques and methods of working with facilities and

equipment that may not be available within the walls of an educational institution;

• Enhancing students’ contacts with potential employers while on training;

• To help students appreciate the role their professions play in the society;

• To give students the ability to try and apply the given knowledge; thereby bridging

the gap between university work and actual practice.

• To provide for the students, opportunities to be involved in the practical aspect of

their respective discipline.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ATTACHMENT

2.1 Location

Brief History

VOICE OF NIGERIA (VON) came into existence in 1961 as the External Service of the then

Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) which later became the Federal Radio Corporation

Nigeria (FRCN). Given the importance attached to external broadcasting the late Prime

Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Commissioned a 10KW HF transmitter which

broadcast programmes for two hours a day. The broadcast was mainly targeted at West Africa

in English and French languages. In 1962, two years into its operation- its relevance became

more registered as 40 hectares of land was acquired by the Government at Ipakodo, Ikorodu

for a befitting transmitting station for an external broadcasting service. Five prototype RCA

100KW HF transmitters were installed and commissioned in 1963.

In the same year, to further extend the reach and impact of Voice of Nigeria on the internal

scene, Arabic programmes were introduced just as the broadcast hours were introduced hours

were increased to six hours per day. When Nigeria hosted the 2nd World Festival of Arts and

culture in 1977(FESTAC 77), a Marconi prototype 350KW HF transmitter was added to

boost world-wide reception of events during the festival. Nigeria’s growing role in Africa,

and indeed the world, made it mandatory for Voice of Nigeria to embark on a wider coverage

of the world. Thus in 1980, five additional Brown Boveri Transmitters with antenna systems

were commissioned in Ikorodu. With that, separate service- North Africa Services were

introduced and they broadcast simultaneously to their target areas in the following languages-

English, French, Hausa, Arabic, German and Ki-Swahili.

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 Voice of Nigeria remained the external service of the Federal Radio Corporation of

Nigeria (FRCN), growing in strength and scope, until it metamorphosed into an independent

Corporation on 5th January, 1990. VON was excised from the Federal Radio Corporation of

Nigeria by Decree Number 15 of 14th May, 1991 with retroactive effect and set up operations

in Broadcasting House, Falomo, ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria, under the leadership of Mallam Yaya

Abubakar, mni, the first Director General of the independent VON. While the administrative

headquarters is in Abuja, the Federal Capital, News, and Programmes emanate from both the

Lagos and Abuja studios. The Corporate Headquarters moved to Abuja in 1995, while

broadcasting started in Abuja in 1998.

In 2012, VON Commissioned another state of the art multibillion naira transmitting station

in Lugbe, Abuja.

The Corporation has since 2015 experienced tremendous expansion and development in

areas of operations, equipment, manpower, and resources under the leadership of Mr. Osita

Okechukwu, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer.

Subsequently, on Wednesday, the 13th of September 2018, VON acquired a new

corporate office (Headquarters) in Abuja (courtesy of EFCC’s anti-graft war). The New VON

Corporate Headquarters is located on plot 1386 Oda Crescent, off Aminu Kano Crescent,

Wuse ii, Abuja.

2.2.1 The Vision Statement:

To become the international radio broadcasting station of first choice for anyone interested in

Nigeria and Africa.

2.2.2 The Mission Statement

Reflecting Nigeria and Africa perspective in our broadcast….winning and sustaining the

attention, respect and goodwill of listeners worldwide particularly Nigerians and Africans the

Diaspora…. Making Nigeria’s voice to be heard more positively in the shaping of our world.

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 2.2.3 The Motto:

......the authoritative choice

2.2 ORGANOGRAM OF THE VOICE OF NIGERIA (VON).

HONORABLE MINISTER
i. Director, Legal
ii. Director, SPCD
Board of Management
iii. Director, Training
iv. Director, Public Affairs
v. Director, Audit and
Director General
vi. Director, Procurement

News Programme Engineering & TECH Finance & human

Directorate Directorate Services Directorate Resources directorate

News Digital Languages Operations ICT Engineerin Human Finance General

DEPT. media DEPT. DEPT. DEP g & TECH Resources & Service
DEPT. Service MGT. Accounts DEPT.
DEPT. DEPT. DEPT.

Figure 1: A diagram showing the organization structure of Voice of Nigeria (VON)

2.4 Function of Various Unit in the Establishment

 NEWS DEPARTMENT

The news department is primarily responsible for creating news programming such as

newscasts and news interview shows, although sometimes members of the news team will

participate in the production of public-affairs programs. They are also responsible for

production and telecast through news bulletins. It is headed by News Directorate.

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 DIGITAL MEDIA DEPARTMENT

 A Digital media department is primarily for maintaining a company or brand’s online

presence. They do this by overseeing the creation of new content for clients’ websites, trying

new digital platforms to determine whether they might be beneficial to a client’s campaign

and using web analytics to gather data about client’s online performance. All of this task can

help a digital media manager increase brand awareness and bring traffic to websites they run

for their clients. They also develop and launches marketing campaign on digital platforms.

 LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

Language, a system of conventional spoken, manual (signed), or written symbols by means of

which human beings, as members of a social group and participant in its culture, express

themselves. The functions of language include communication, the expression of identity,

play, imaginative expression, and emotional release.

2.3 SIWES ACTIVITIES

I began my siwes programme on November 27, 2021 to February 4 2022. I posted to

women Youth and Children unit, where I was ask to understudy Mrs. Wunmi Adegoke who

produces literary corner. She gave me an assignment to review a poem the Raider of the

treasure trove by Ghanaian poet Lade Wosornu. During my time in Voice of Nigeria I learnt

about voxpop and also the process one has to go through to conduct a good voxpop. I also

conducted different voxpop for different programs in Voice of Nigeria which were how

government can reduce the number of out of school children, how do people enjoy eating

their moimoi and what they call it in their native dialect, how people enjoy eating their rice

and so on. I was also asked to wri9ite interview questions for the commissioner of youth and

also constructed a voxpop questions to ask the youth. I learnt how to edit after recording a

program with cool edit and adobe audition.

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 CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 SUMMARY

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is indeed a very

important program as it helps Students Bridge the gap between school work and
practical aspect of field.

My attachment at the Voice of Nigeria, Lagos state I found my internship to be

educating, rewarding, fulfilling, challenging, and enjoyable.

During my course of time spent in Voice of Nigeria I had practical experience of what
was learnt in the classroom which includes; writing of script, editing, conducting
interview, carrying out voxpop etc. The program has exposed me to rudiments,
principle and practices in mass

4.2 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE PROGRAMME

I did not encountered any challenges during my time spent in voice of Nigeria except

that the workers are lazy.

4.3 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, as a student of Mass communication, I have been able to obtain the

most relevant and effective practical industrial training and experience in a duration of

Three months(3 months) having been exposed to practical activities. Furthermore, I

have acquired important behavior and interpersonal skills with the opportunity given

me to get a feel of work environment and exposure as a student of mass

communication.

4.3 RECOMMENDATION

I recommend the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) should be

seen as an opportunity to explore knowledge in ones field of studies rather than
making money. It is a special opportunity to go to the industries and gather freely the

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experiences which could be expensive to pay for, after leaving things that I might not
have the chance to learn again.
• To the industries and organization, the students should not be
restricted to their field alone but they should be moved to other unit that
slightly relates to their course of study. Regular discussion with the Siwes
student should also be implemented in all the organizations, so as to know what
they have learnt and problem encountered during the week.
• To the Universities, regular visit of the students who are on I.T.
should be ensured in order to enhance the effectiveness of the training. Also,
students who have difficulties in securing placement should be helped to secure
an appropriate place. Links and affiliations should be made between
Universities and Companies/Organization to ease placement securing. Another
is proper orientation should be given to the students by the universities before
they go on SIWES and the placement letter should be given to students early
enough so as to avoid attachment in irrelevant organization.
• Lastly, the Government at all levels are urged to intensify their
efforts both financially and materially to make SIWES program a huge success
in all schools so that the problems facing this country and the whole world at
large will be combated.

REFERENCES

https://von.gov.ng/about-us/ Ojo D.O, Michael A., Akpoyovware E. &

Olowookere E. (2019), The Review of the Student Industrial Work Experience
Scheme (SIWES) in Four Selected Countries,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338524615

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Aderonke Agnes Oyeniyi, PhD (2012), Students’ Industrial Work Experience
Scheme
(SIWES) and the Incidence of Occupational Misfit in Nigeria, Industrial
Training Fund (ITF), Ibadan, Nigeria.

A Report on Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Training

Programme (May 2016

October 2016), Oludolapo Olanrewaju, Federal University of Technology

Minna. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330620748

Oyedotun Victor Tunde (2016), Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme

(SIWES) Technical Report Presentation, Landmark University,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328449010

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