The University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association (UIMSA) Press emerged as the Best Departmental Local Press Organisation, with members winning five other categories, including Overall Best Campus Journalist at the 2023/2024 Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UCJ UI) Dinner and Awards Night, which took place on Saturday, 1st March, 2025, at the Bello Dome, UI.
The individual awards won include;
Best Health Writer – Aisha Ibrahim (Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Clinical)/Health Editor)
Best Politics Writer and Most Promising Campus Journalist – Rodiyah Khidir
Sheriff Folarin’s Award for Overall Best Campus Journalist and Amb. Taiwo Aigwholeme’s Award for Most Energetic Campus Journalist (Editorial) – John Eriomala (Editor-in-Chief/Politics Editor)
The UIMSA Press was also nominated for the Best Story and Overall Best Local Press Organisation Awards, both won by IndyPress.
In the individual categories, other nominations were:
Best News Writer – John Eriomala, Moshood Sidiq (News Editor)
Best Features Writer- Moboluwarin Ogunleye (PRO/Features Editor), Adeyemo Peter (Deputy Editor-in-Chief(Preclinicals)/Sports Editor)
Best Entertainment Writer – Simeon Okojie (Fin. Sec/Entertainment Editor), Olokungbemi Gerald, John Eriomala, Ololade Ojeniyi
Best Sports Writer – Simeon Okojie, Olokungbemi Gerald
Best Creative Writer – Simeon Okojie, Moboluwarin Ogunleye
Best Politics Writer- John Eriomala
Best Investigative Writer – Rodiyah Khidir
Best Editor-in-Chief – John Eriomala
In total, UIMSA Press recorded a total of 22 nominations, earmarking the organisation as ‘one of the best in the University of Ibadan’, according to the Editor-in-Chief, John.
Speaking on the awards, he said, “I wish we won more and I believe there were categories we wholeheartedly deserved. However, I am happy for our wins and the recognition of the immense quality of work going on in this LPO. Not many know that this is our second year operating as a unified body. An even fewer number are aware that this is our first year as a formal LPO, pushing out editorials, feature stories, and Weekly publications for the first time. And yet, we were able to produce the highest quality of work anywhere in UI”.
He added, “All of the credit goes to the incredible editorial board and the hardwork put in by our superb UIMSA Press members. I would also like to appreciate folks like Daniel Oluborode and Ifeanyi Achiife, who have contributed to the growth we’ve had. Ultimately, our wins tonight are for the seekers of truth everywhere, and the continued fight of the Fourth Estate.”
Aside from the UCJ UI Awards, the event also witnessed the presentation of prizes to the top three in the 7th Fisayo Soyombo Inter-Varsity Essay Contest. Samuel Omofola, a second-year student of the Faculty of Law, UI, emerged as the winner, with a cash prize of 350,000 Naira.
Dignitaries present include foremost Investigative journalist and founder of Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Fisayo Soyombo, and 32nd UCJ UI President, Martins Isaac, among others.