The Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UCJ’UI), on Saturday, September 19, held its 38th Induction Ceremony alongside the third edition of the Global Campus Journalism Summit (GCJS 3.0) at the Large Lecture Theatre (LLT), Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan. The event, themed “From Campus to National Politics: The Role of Campus Journalists in Civic Engagement, Democratic Participation and Nation Building,” featured keynote addresses, panel sessions and the induction of 142 new campus journalists, including 12 members of UIMSA Press.
The programme, initially scheduled for 10 a.m., commenced a few minutes before noon with a press prayer anchored by UCJ’s Editor-in-Chief, Utibe Emmanuel. The first keynote speaker, Mr Ibrahim Oredola, the 29th President of UCJ’UI, spoke on the realities of campus journalism, noting that membership of UCJ’UI does not necessarily mean becoming a journalist, but equips students with transferable skills applicable to other fields.
The first panel session featured Mr Abdulkabir Tijani, an AI and Health Misinformation Researcher, and Mr Edem Udofia, a reporter at the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who shared insights into their experiences and challenges as campus journalists. This was followed by the administration of the Oath of Induction, formally admitting the 142 inductees as members of UCJ’UI.
The second keynote speaker, Mr Michael Olatunbosun, a presenter at Splash FM, charged the new inductees to report both “what is working” and “what is not working,” while asking important questions. The second panel session, titled “Beyond Campus: How Campus Journalists Can Change Nigeria’s Future,” featured Ms Olayide Soaga of News Central, Ms Faith Alofe of Punch Newspaper and Mr Oluwatosin Ologun, Head of the Reportorial Desk at Agidigbo FM.
In the Sunday Oguntola Writing Competition, four candidates were shortlisted, including Omotesho Ifeoluwa of UIMSA Press. However, Olajuwon Samson of Bello Hall Press emerged winner and is set to receive a ₦60,000 cash prize. Akinwunmi Kayode and Idowu Deborah emerged first and second runners-up, respectively, and will receive ₦50,000 and ₦30,000.
The Best Inductee Award saw seven inductees shortlisted, five of whom were members of UIMSA Press. Adesina Oluwafadekemi of the 2k29 class emerged as the winner, while Efoghene Godreigneth Oluwabori, also of the 2k29 class, was recognised with a special consolation prize from the UCJ Editor-in-Chief after coming close to the winner in the UCJ induction examination.
Oluwafadekemi’s victory also marked the second consecutive year a UIMSA Press member has won the Best Inductee Award, following Nelson Gloria of the 2k27 class, who won the award in 2025. Speaking on her achievement, Oluwafadekemi said, “I was really happy that I won the Best Inductee award, especially because everyone is aware that UIMSA Press is top, and I was really happy to be another proof of that.”
Omoyemi Adeoye Abdulgafar