The Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan, inducted 160 Campus Journalists at her Induction Ceremony and Global Campus Journalism Summit which took place on Saturday, 30th November 2024, at the KAAF Auditorium, Department of Human Nutrition, UI.
The Induction Ceremony, which was the 36th of its kind, was themed, “Campus Journalist’s Creed: Ethics, Accountability and Impact”, while the Global Campus Journalism Summit, while the first of its kind Summit, was themed “The Future of Journalism in Nigeria: Press Censorship, Digital Information, and the Missing Perspective”, and featured participation from campus journalists across the divide. These include; members of the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University, Press Club, University of Lagos, Campus Mirror, Olabisi Onabanjo University, the Press Council, the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and others from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Osun State University.
A welcome address from the UCJ UI President, Miss Tosanwunmi Tarre, kickstarted the event. Miss Tarre spoke on the importance of upholding ethics, accountability, and the impact on the endeavors of new inductees, as they begin their journey. Her speech ended with a call to action to journalists to stand on those characteristics and uphold the tenets of the profession.
Following this was the first keynote speech from Mrs Oluwabukunmi Ishola, Nigerian Tribune Editor and UCJ UI Alumnus, who relived her journey as a CJ, exploring the need to balance journalism with academics, the primary assignment. The second keynote speech was given by Digital Investigative Journalist, Seyi Awojulugbe, on behalf of the Founder and CEO of the Cable, Mr Simon Kolawole. There was an inductees-exhibition, anchored by the UCJ UI Editor-in-Chief, Tijani Abdulkabeer, who highlighted aspects of the induction process such as the mentor-mentee program for over a 100 inductees, and skills training, which was demonstrated. Inductees were sworn in afterwards. Mr Tijani also anchored the launch of the 2024 UCJ UI Campulse Magazine, themed “Journalism in the Age of AI: Balancing Innovation and Integrity”.
There was a panel session on Ethical Journalism. Panelists include: Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Honourable Gbenga Omotoso, 2024 CJID AI-in-Journalism Fellow, Miss Olamide Tejuoso, and Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji.
In the Award Presentation section of the Ceremony, Oluseun Fatope of AFAS Press was adjudged winner of the Martins Isaac Best Inductee Prize of a plaque and a 100,000 Naira cash Prize. Two UIMSA Press Inductees, Sunday Nnamdi Precious and Rodiyah Khidir, made the final-six shortlist. A cash prize of 150,000 Naira for the Most Energetic Inductee, which serves to reward the inductee with the most participation during the course of the induction process, was also presented to Jesutomiwa Adebumowa of the Law Press.
The winners for the 4th edition of the Sunday Oguntola Essay were also announced at the event, with Law Press’ Adeyemo Mercy emerging as the winner of the contest receiving a sum of 60,000 Naira, Oludare Olufunmilola, also of Law Press, emerging as the first runner-up, winning 50,000 Naira, while Sakeenah Kareem of AFAS Press emerged second runner up, winning 40,000 Naira.
Speaking with the Press, Oluseun Fatope, the Martins Isaac Prize winner said, “It feels like a fulfillment clinching this award, and I hope my journey as a Campus Journalist in the University of Ibadan comes with more wins. The feeling can not be described, but I especially thank my Editor, and everyone who supported me in this journey.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Most Energetic Inductee, Jesutomiwa, who said; “I would first like to give thanks to God, as it came unexpected. It came with excitement, and I want to thank my mentor and Editor-in-Chief, Caroline Bablola, and also the Editor-in-Chief of Kuti Hall Press”.
Moshood Sidiq
