The Opening Day of the new academic year at ALBERIONE INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION EDUCATION (AICE) was organized on Thursday 21 September 2017. The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins conveyed the message that the setting up of Alberione Institute of Communication Education for the training of Journalists and media practitioners is not only a blessing for the Archdiocese of Lagos but for the entire country. The Catholic prelate who was represented by the Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and the Episcopal Vicar of Lagos Region, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu and Very Rev. Msgr. Bernard Okodua respectively, observed that the choice of date for the celebration of the event coincided with the feast of St. Matthew whom they described as a communicator and evangelist par excellence.
Msgr. John Aniagwu paid glowing tribute to the Society of St. Paul and the great media marvel, Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family. He then advised the authorities of the Institute to make it known and to become self-sustaining by reaching out to parishes through the deaneries. He promised to assist the Institute to realize its objectives.
The Episcopal Vicar of Lagos Region, Msgr. Bernard Okodua, asked the management of the Institute to explore all avenues to ensure that the school maintains the standards expected of a Catholic institution.
Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communications of the Lagos Archdiocese, in his address said that the Social Communications Directorate will team up with the Institute and get the parishes in the Archdiocese to work along the vision of the Institute by developing the manpower that would eventually help AICE.
Fr. Jikson Mullasseril, Director of the Institute, reeled out the aims and objectives of the media institute one of which is to train students to become media professionals using the latest techniques available in different media platforms. The Project Coordinator of the College, Mr. Mike Echi, using a powerpoint presentation, gave a detailed account of the programmes available in the Institute, ranging from the professional diploma courses, the certificate courses and the special programmes designed for liturgical functionaries, lectors and the religious.
The programme attracted individuals and veterans from both the print and electronic media and the film industry such as Nollywood and also groups and organizations from the Church. The participants of the event went home with happy memories of the day conducted at the lovely environment of Alberione Institute of Communication Education. Congratulations to Fr Jikson and his team for making it big with the presence of dignitaries from the archdiocese of Lagos.