The Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan, on Saturday, 11th of October 2025, held her 5-in-1 Event, consisting of the Global Campus Journalism Summit 2.0, the Prof Francis Egbokhare Inter-Press Debate Competition, Famous Five Awards, Induction Ceremony and Magazine Launch, at the First Bank Building, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan.
The Global Campus Journalism Summit was themed “From Campus to Newsroom: Sustaining Truth, Freedom and Innovation in the Age of AI”, with Keynote Speeches delivered by Ronke Giwa-Onafuwa, represented by Yemi Adelakun, and Dr Jide Johnson. Dr Jide Johnson emphasised the interplay of innovation in journalism and the powers-that-be. “Journalism and Innovation are Siamese twins. The journalism industry is an innovative industry. Its growth and practice is technology-driven. Every media invention is an innovation and revolution, resisted by the establishment. Why? Media access and growth weakened the monarchy and the church’s hold over the control and flow of information and knowledge in society. Newspapers evolved to challenge the control of the church and the king over the right of people to know to give expression to their thoughts.” The panel, consisting of Mojeed Alabi, Sunday Oguntola, Ifedayo Ogunyemi, and Faith Omoniyi, thereafter debated the day’s theme.
The Famous Five Awards celebrated the awardees: Akintunde Babatunde in the Journalism Category, Hon. Seun Fakorede in the Politics Category, Amb. Taiwo Ailogwehme in the Entrepreneurship Category, Dolapo Amusat in the Entertainment Category, and Prof Saheed Aderinto in the Education Category. In addition, Hon. Gbenga Omotosho, Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Lagos State, was proclaimed as the new Grand Patron of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan. He remarked on the decline of journalism nationwide and the need to avoid emotion and stick to the core principles of reporting news as is. “What I call the soul of journalism, reporting, today is dying, and all of us are watching. Today, the people we see as very good journalists, who are also carrying the banner of being journalists, and who the public feels that they are journalists; they are those I call commentators.” He further emphasised the dignity and importance of the profession and the need to protect it going forward.
The Induction Ceremony saw 133 get inducted into the Union of Campus Journalists, including seven from the University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association Press. The Best Inductee Award had seven nominees, including two from UIMSA Press—Aminat Yusuff and Gloria Nelson of the 200L class, with the award won by Gloria Nelson, guaranteeing a N100,000 cash prize. In conversation with the Press, she remarked, “It feels surreal, honestly—especially considering that the exams came at a very busy period for me.” The Most Energetic Inductee, Oyetoro Joshua of AFAS Press, also secured a N400,000 cash prize.
The Professor Francis Egbokhare Inter-Press Debate Finals saw Indy Press go up against Zik Press in the hall category, arguing the topic, “Citizen journalism has done more harm than good to the African media ecosystem”, and Clinical Sciences Pressmen arguing against Agro Press, for the topic, “Should foreign-funded media houses in Africa be considered a threat to genuine press freedom?” Zik Press triumphed against Indy Press in the Hall Category, and the UIMSA Press came up trumps in the Faculty Category, with Peter Adeyemo, of the 2k25 class, emerging as the Best Speaker. Winners in the Hall and Faculty categories guaranteed a prize of N100,000 apiece.
The Sunday Oguntola Essay Competition was won by Aremu Goodness of Kuti Press, with Omofala Samuel and Osuolale Oluwatomilayo emerging as 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively. To cap off the event, the UCJ Campulse Magazine, titled “Education That Educates: Raising Thinkers In a System Designed for Survival”, was launched by Mr Alao Abiodun of The Nation. In closing remarks, Moboluwarin Ogunleye, the UCJ-UI Administrative Vice-President, thanked all comers, emphasising as well the instrumental role committee members played in bringing this event to life.