New members have been inducted by the Union of Campus Journalists, the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) with a charge to live up to the demands of the profession.
The advice was given at the induction in the University Campus area on August 15 after a thorough screening process of the inductees.
Special guests at the ceremony included Chairman of the National Union of Journalists (Kwara State Chapter), Abdul-Lateef Ahmed, Dr. Muhammad Kamaldeen Imam-Temim (representing the Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Patigi University, Kwara State, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji); Associate Professor Saudat Abdul-Baqii of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin; the Managing Editor of HumAngle Media, Anita Eboigbe; the Investigations Editor at HumAngle Media, Kunle Adebajo; Sub-Editor at HumAngle Media, Muhammed Akinyemi and the Creative Director at ARTmosterrific, Mr. Ishola Abdul-Wasiu.
In his speech, Dr. Imam-Temim commended the budding journalists on their passion for journalism which they had exhibited by their response to the organization’s call for membership. He encouraged them to be committed to their duties as journalists, stating that they have a crucial role to play in ensuring that public institutions and authorities are held accountable. He said that they are members of the fourth estate of the realm, and it’s pertinent for them to live up to the obligations imposed on them through their duties.
Mr. Abdul-Lateef Ahmed commended the organization’s leadership for the successful recruitment process and advised that journalists should remain true to the cause. He also shared insights and lessons from his experiences as a mainstream journalist, stating that despite the hurdles, the struggle always pays off as the greater objective is achieved when the journalistic duty is efficiently carried out.
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Associate Professor Abdul-Baqii also commended the organization for continually promoting journalism on campus and its environs. She encouraged the new members to be diligent in their reportage and dealings, stating that joining the organization would open up a lot of opportunities to the students.
The Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ilorin is an organization of campus journalists, practicing journalism and building collaborations with media houses across Nigeria. The organization reputes itself to be the oldest and the most prestigious student bar in Nigeria, with a reputation of building many journalists now working with top-tier journalism outlets in Nigeria. It states that it is “committed to uplifting the bars of journalism and is a veritable platform for nurturing budding journalists into professional and contemporary mainstream journalism.”
Mr. Adebajo while speaking on the topic, Campus Journalism and Free Press: Uplifting Free Expression and Accountability, explored the roles of campus journalism in promoting free press. He stated that journalists are obligated to be observant and diligent to happenings in their surroundings, as this fuels story ideas they can work on. He stated that the press is indispensable in the struggle of promoting free expression towards ensuring that the necessary institutions are held accountable.
Mr. Akinyemi who spoke on ways of Maximizing Potentials as a Campus Journalist recalled his years of practice as a campus journalist with the UCJ UNILORIN, adding that his work on campus positioned him for greater roles and opened doors for him into higher roles. He mentioned that the bars must be raised higher to ensure the profession waxes stronger into greater dimensions.
Speaking on the theme, Promoting Women Roles in Journalism, Miss. Eboigbe emphasized that the role and impact of women in the mass media are tremendous and enjoined budding female journos to stand tall in the face of all adversity and discrimination they would face in the industry. She announced that there would be a training opportunity for female journalists in the UCJ UNILORIN to adequately prepare them for their career paths as journalists.
In her remarks, the Vice-President of the UCJ UNILORIN, Miss Peter appreciated the guests for their insightful presentations and enjoined the new members to be active in the Union’s activities and projects. She also administered the formal induction on the new members, which ushered them into the organization as journalists.
