Student leaders have been advised to be intentional in their willingness to serve to make necessary impact.
Africa Editor at the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) Ajibola Amzat made the call at a Media and Leadership Conference themed “Amplifying Youth Voices: Media, Leadership and Civic Responsibility in the 21st Century” at the university’s Energy Research Center on August 2nd, 2025 organised by the PEN PRESS at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,
In his keynote address titled “From Local Action to Global Impact: Re-Imagining Youth Leadership in a Fragmented World” on behalf of CCIJ’s Executive Director, Professor Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, Ajibola said “we need youth leaders who embody the idea of servant leadership because the future of this country, this continent, depends on the quality of leadership offered by the youth.”
Amzat cited leadership philosophical theories with his personal experiences to explain what it means to not only lead but impact others.
He noted that campus journalism is evolving as there are multiple opportunities that were not available during his years as a Campus Journalist in Unilagsun, a campus based newspaper outlet in University of Lagos.
The conference convened over 100 delegates from across all departments and faculties, equipping them with the leadership skills needed for their personal growth.
According to Dauda Musbau, the converner and editor-in-chief of the outlet the platform is meant for the student delegates cut across different fields within the campus to explore the role of media and leadership in the development of Nigeria and the world at large.
The conference featured panel discussion from notable student leaders in diverse fields, ranging Journalism, Advocacy, Public Speaking, and Academic Excellence.
Habib Temako, one of the delegates said he had a whole lot of enjoyable moments of learning and commended the resourcefulness of the panelists.
When asked about the importance of campus journalism, Shereefdeen explained that campus journalists must be “Watchdogs, not lapdogs.” He posits that accountability is the most cardinal role of every campus journalist.
The one-day conference ended with over 100 delegates receiving the certificate of participation.
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