The Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJ OAU) has inaugurated its 51st executive council at the 2023 dinner, award night and handing over ceremony on 24th of June, 2023.
The new executives are Gbolahan Latinwo – President, Iseoluwa Olufajo – Vice President (Administration), Ayomide Adesina – Chairman, Guild of Editors, Theophilus Awotunde – General Secretary, Oluwafemi Olabode – Public Relations Officer, Deborah Adewunmi – Financial Secretary, Esther Olatimehin – Assistant General Secretary and Stephen Omosebi – Director of Socials.
In his inaugural speech, the new President emphasized that the administration will prioritize member growth and development.
PROFILE
Though an Engineering student, the new President said he is very passionate about journalism practice on campus.
“My passion for journalism started with disseminating accurate and timely information to students,” he stated adding that he was inspired to join the ACJ after meeting like-minded former students like Kabir Adejumo, Kehinde Babajide, Ajibade Abdullah, Agunbiade Kehinde amongst a host of others.
“I was the Financial Secretary of the last administration and I believe that office has prepared me for the next task ahead. Being part of the last administration opened my eyes to a lot about journalism and the necessity to contest for the apex seat of the association.”
With over about four years of being a campus journalist with his reports published in various media outlets such as News Digest, The Nations, Campus Reporter, Dubawa and others, Gbolahan has won two awards at the Campus Journalism Awards organized by Youth Digest in Abuja.
In 2021, Latinwo won the News Reporter category of the Campus Journalism Awards and in 2022, also won the Gender Equality Reporter category at the Campus Journalism Awards.
PLANS
According to Latinwo, the new administration will prioritize all-inclusive administration, development and growth of the membership.
According to him, plans have been drawn up to accommodate every campus reporter and disciplined student who will like to join the association.
“We plan to organize trainings and workshops for our campus reporters through partnerships with other campus media outfits and the mainstream media outfits and we are grateful to Premium Times, The Cable, The Nations, Dataphyte, Oduduwa News amongst a host of others that have always reached out to us to give opportunities to our members to learn.
He said the union will also leverage the ever-supportive alumni body that has been there for the association at all times.
The aim of the association is to train campus reporters on the principles and ethics of true journalism and what is expected of them outside the purview of campus reporting.
With the accreditation of Communication courses in OAU, the administration will ensure that there is a mutual and understanding relationship with the authorities in charge of the communication course programme.
