The Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU) inducted new members on Saturday, December 7th. The induction ceremony, themed “Campus Journalism: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Growth, and Shaping Stories,” took place in the Students’ Union TV Room, to welcome the new members to the association.
Recall that on Saturday, November 23rd, the Association examined the new intakes, in which 70 students of the University participated, while 55 students were subsequently shortlisted and recruited into the association.
Kicking off the day with excitement! Our recruitment exercise reached its climax this morning as prospective members underwent a rigorous examination and interview process at the First Bank Lecture Theater, OAU.
#OAUTwitter #OAUX pic.twitter.com/iv1y2LE6na— The Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ) OAU (@Official_ACJOAU) November 23, 2024
The induction ceremony had in attendance, two guest speakers, Mr. Damilola Olufemi, a Development Journalist, and Miss Peace Oladipo, an Investigative Journalist. Also, present at the occasion were the President of ACJOAU, Olabode Oluwafemi, along with other executive members, other members of the association and the inductees.
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The induction ceremony commenced with an address by ACJOAU President, Olabode Oluwafemi. He welcomed the new inductees and he encouraged them to embrace their role as campus journalists and strive for excellence in their reporting.
Damilola Olufemi, the first guest speaker, emphasized in his speech that being a campus journalist equips individuals for a future career in professional journalism. He noted that campus journalism goes beyond just reporting events at the university; it also includes covering events and issues in the surrounding community.
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Mr. Olufemi highlighted several common challenges faced by campus journalists, including limited resources, the need to balance academics with journalism, pressure and criticism, and ethical dilemmas. He emphasized the importance of adhering to journalistic ethics when reporting on campus issues. Additionally, he advised the inductees to prioritize protecting their reputations while serving as campus journalists.
Furthermore, he provided the inductees with strategies to overcome challenges they may face. He emphasized that campus journalists should be resourceful and leverage social media platforms for outreach. Additionally, he reminded them that they are students and need to be mindful of their responsibilities in that role. He advised them to create schedules and set priorities to effectively balance their academic commitments with their journalism work.
Speaking about handling criticism, he noted that criticism should be viewed as constructive feedback and should serve as an opportunity to improve the work and build resilience. He advised the inductees to always adhere to the ethics of journalism to solidify their credibility as campus journalists.
Mr. Olufemi emphasized that in developing valuable skills, the inductees should focus on key abilities such as writing, interviewing techniques, and research skills. Additionally, he mentioned that when campus journalists share their stories, their reports should focus on relevant topics and capture the readers’ attention.
He concluded by encouraging the inductees to embrace campus journalism’s opportunities. ‘Be persistent, passionate, and always remain curious about the world. The future of journalism depends on your voice,’ Mr Olufemi said as he wrapped up his remarks.
The second guest speaker, Miss Peace Oladipo, an Investigative Journalist, discussed “Tips to Be a Good Journalist.” She outlined three essential tips: having a nose for news, strong writing skills, and acquiring knowledge and expertise.
While explaining the first point, “nose for news,” she emphasized that campus journalists should be able to recognize whether an incident is newsworthy. Additionally, she advised that the safety of journalists should be prioritized before any reports are published.
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Shortly after the guest speakers’ speeches, the President of the Association ushered in the new intakes with a clear readout of the induction oath.
Three inductees received prizes for their outstanding performance in the recruitment examination. The overall best inductee, Lambe Ifeoluwa Emmanuel, was awarded a cash prize along with souvenirs. Orisatoye Aminat Omotola and Olatunji Esther were recognized as the First and Second Runners-up, respectively.
During the presentation of induction certificates to the new members, the President of the Association, Olabode Oluwafemi, emphasized the importance of punctuality in journalism. He honoured an inductee, Abadoni Helen, with a souvenir for her timely arrival at the Induction Ceremony. Other inductees received their certificates during the event.
A Big Congratulations to You!
We’re glad to celebrate your induction! Your dedication to using journalism to make a positive impact is truly inspiring.
We wish you all the best as you start this new journey. May your pen be a powerful tool for growth and transformation! pic.twitter.com/PHKTlX6fcl
— The Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ) OAU (@Official_ACJOAU) December 6, 2024
One of the Inductees, Kolawole Christianah, stated in an interview with an ACJOAU correspondent that upholding the ethics of journalism, such as being truthful, is one of the core principles of journalism, and she vowed to uphold the profession’s values.
Speaking with another inducted member, Taiwo Nafisat Dasola said the event was enlightening with the speakers’ shared story and encounter on navigating the challenges of campus journalism. She added that the spoken words performance at the event reminds her of the journalist heroes that were lost without traces.