Global Spotlight on Calabar as UNICROSS Hosts Maiden International Conference on Communication, Media Studies .....World-Renowned Scholars, Government Stakeholders to Storm Cross River Capital

 

Calabar, the scenic capital of Cross River State, is set to command global academic attention as the Department of Mass Communication, University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) hosts the inaugural edition of its International Conference on Communication and Media Studies, a landmark event that promises to elevate Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural standing on the global stage.

Slated for May 13–16, 2025, the conference, with the theme “Science of Communication and the Communication of Science,” will attract an elite gathering of top communication scholars, policy-makers, diplomats, media practitioners, government functionaries, and technocrats from across Africa, Europe, and North America.

The conference, billed to hold at the Department of Mass Communication, UNICROSS, will delve into the mechanics of communication processes and the intricate interplay between science and the public in an age of information overload, misinformation, and evolving technologies.

Speaking to Detailing News, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Emmanuel N. Inyang, described the conference as "a bold intellectual voyage that underscores UNICROSS's rising influence in media research and public communication."

“The science of communication refers to the systematic methods we apply to exchange ideas and emotions meaningfully,” Dr. Inyang explained. 

“Every act of communication has a purpose. Our aim is to decode the processes and examine how mediums, contexts, and audiences influence the outcome. As Marshall McLuhan aptly stated — the medium is the message.”

He went further to note the relevance of revisiting classical communication theories in today's complex media ecosystem, invoking Berelson’s principle: “Some kinds of communication on some kinds of issues, when brought to the attention of some kinds of people under some kinds of conditions, have some kinds of effects.” Inyang concluded. 

Also the Secretary of the Organising Committee, Dr. John Godswill, this maiden edition is not just about scholarly exchange but about “positioning UNICROSS as a continental leader in communication scholarship and providing a platform for policy-shaping dialogue.”

The conference will feature high-powered keynote sessions, technical presentations, plenary panels, workshops, and academic exhibitions, all geared towards repositioning communication as a vehicle for national development and scientific advancement.

Among the notable dignitaries and speakers expected are:

✓Keynote Speaker: Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River State Commissioner for Information.

✓Guest of Honour: Dr. Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education, Cross River State.

Lead Presenters:

✓Prof. Nnamdi Ekeanyanwu, SUSI Fellow, Scripps College of Communication, Ohio University, USA.

✓Prof. Herbert Batta, Professor of Science Communication, University of Uyo, Nigeria.

✓UNICROSS Ambassador: Essien Oku Essien, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA.

The conference will be hosted by Dr. John I. Ukam, Head of Department of Mass Communication, and Prof. Francisca Bassey, the Acting Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, serves as the Chief Host.

Beyond academia, the conference is poised to spotlight Cross River State’s growing reputation as a destination for scholarly excellence, cultural celebration, and tourism. With a vibrant blend of intellectual energy and traditional hospitality, Calabar is primed to deliver a world-class event that resonates far beyond the university campus.

As final preparations hit top gear, anticipation continues to build across academia and media circles globally. The international spotlight is now on Calabar, a city rich in heritage and potential to host a gathering that could shape the future of communication studies in Africa and beyond.

For scholars, students, media professionals, and public intellectuals, the message is clear: Join the conversation on the science of communication and the communication of science in Calabar, where ideas come alive.