By KG
After a week of extensive training on the different facets of journalism such as Solutions Journalism, Fact checking, Entrepreneurship and Cartooning, the Union of Campus Journalist, UCJ UI on Saturday, 1st of April, 2023, inducted a new batch of student journalists from different local press organizations into the bigger umbrella body of campus journalism, the UCJ. The event which also featured the Famous Five Awards was graced by dignitaries and eminent personalities, representatives of the Vice Chancellor and registrar, Fisayo Soyombo, Tijani Mayowa.
Highlights of the event included the induction speech was given by Mrs Seyi Awojulugbe, who gave a brief narration of her journalism journey. She also advised the inductees that, “Everyone is a thread that makes the fabric of Nigeria. Everything we do, and everything we stand for will lead to the change we want to see in our society.” Dr Ojebuyi, the representative of the VC and the dean of students delivered a speech on behalf of the VC, stating that he (the VC) sends his regards. The Vice Chancellor is proud of UCJ for enabling growth and development in the University. He also acknowledged their support for his administration. The representative of the Registration, Mr. Mojeed Alabi also advised the inductees, defined journalism as a force for change and charged the students to do better.
There was also a panel session featuring Dr. Babatude Ojebuyi, the representative of the Vice Chancellor, Mrs. Seyi Awojulugbe, a practicing journalist and the Student Union President, Mr. Adeyinka ‘Mascot’ Adewale. The session was moderated by Mr. John Okafor, Editor-in-Chief of Indy Press. The panelist discussed various issues ranging from press freedom, students and lecturer rights- the Student Disciplinary Council issue, to the issue of the Students Handbook.
Oluwagbenga, a 100 level student, has this to say about the event, “The event was thrilling. I got to see Fisayo Soyombo and some other journalism legends…I’m glad to be starting my own journalism journey this early.” Mojeed, a 200 level student of the department of Communication and Language arts, said, “I feel fulfilled to be officially inducted as a member of UCJ. I said officially because I have always been with the Union right from my first year on campus. I’m a member of the publicity and I have also got a letter of recommendation from the Union to intern in a radio station. In short, the Union has always been part of me, but I’m happy to be officially inducted in the end. As it is, I’m looking forward to the Union to build me more so I can make name like our forebears in UCJ. Of course, I won’t hesitate to contribute my quota too…”
Futhermore, the UCJ campus magazine, Campulse was also launched. The launching was supported with a One hundred thousand naira donation by Nurudeen Bakare. During the awards ceremony, the winnners of the Famous Five Awards in the categories of Academic, Entrepreneural, Entertainment, Journalism awards were announced as Professor S.O Odebode, Mr Nurudeen Bakare, Kunle Remi, Mayowa Tijani. The fifth category, Activism, was not officially awarded although it was rumoured that the recipient was Adebowale Adedayo, Mr Macaroni.
While, in the Fisayo Soyombo Essay Competition the second runner-up was Mr Ogunsola Emmanuel Oladayo, the first runner-up was Mr John Oghenemaro, while the overall winner of the Essay contest was Mr Akinmoyeje Precious Timileyin of IndyPress
The overall best inductee for the batch B exams was Mr Akinyemi Jonathan, while Mr Eriomala John also from Indy Press was awarded as the overall best inductee for the 34th administration.
