Abiodun Jamiu, student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, reports.
It was a bright and colourful day, and the galleries of the house were crowded with ladies and gentlemen; all was gaiety for the largest gathering of campus journalists. The youths' digest magazine, organiser of the annual campus journalism awards, has on 19th January, 2018 held the second edition of her campus journalism awards (CJA 2019) at Nicon Luxury Hotels, Abuja.
In an information contained in the statement released by the organiser, two hundred and forty one entries were received, thirty finalists were shortlisted among which fifteen awardees emerged. The award committee assessed entries for accuracy, clarity, originality, creativity and unique delivery styles. The categories were upcoming writer, entertainment writer, sports writer, reporter, gender equality and feature writer.
Others were broadcaster, photojournalist, pen club, Author (book), Social media influencer, investigative journalist, editor, magazine and campus journalist of the year.
The Editor, Youths' digest, Mr Gidado Shuaib, in his opening remarks highlighted the aims of the annual event and expressed dissatisfaction at the challenges facing student journalists in campuses across Universities in the country.
"As the CJA enters it second year, I want to remind us of the reasons why we at youths' digest started it. The award is primarily aimed at motivating, recognizing and celebrating students journalists, young writers, pen clubs and campus media outlets.
While we bask in the merry of today's event, I want to point out the fact that campus journalists face challenges; victimisation, absence of quality mentorship and non availability of funds for investigative reports" he bemoaned.
He, however, further reiterated his commitment and support for campus journalism with the unveiling of campus journalism dialogue (CJD) which he said would help fight unethical practices of journalism in campuses.
"Indeed, this motivation has birthed the campus journalism dialogue which we intend to flag off this year. This intiative will address key areas in campus journalism and support victims of oppression who are often deserted by their peers after a fall" he said.
... UNVEILS CAMPUS JOURNALISM DIALOGUE
Campus journalism dialogue is an intiative of Youths'digest magazine to promote, enhance and sustain activities of campus journalism through quality, ethical, balanced, accurate investigative and analytical reportage.
The dialogue which will be organized in partnership with the civil society legislative advocacy center (CISLAC) will involve visitations to various Universities to support best stories, engage student journay and encourage the art of investigative journalism.
Olarenwaju Oyedeji, Senior Reporter, youths' digest, while unveiling the intiative said that the platform, among other things, would mentor campus Journalists on basic issues affecting the media space.He said:
"The dialogue will serve as a platform to robustly mentor campus Journalists, while educating them on fundamental issues such as hate speech, fake news, defamation, libelous publication, and brown envelope syndrome in contemporary journalism practice"
The Editor, Youths' Digest Magazine, Mr Gidado Shuaib told our corresponent the dialogue is a mentorship programme for outstanding Campus Journalists. It would be hosted in six zones in the country.
The dialogue will take place at selected higher institutions in each of the six geo-political zones. Students whose news reports, articles and literary works have been published on media platforms will be selected as participants.
DANFODIYO JOURNALISTS SHINE AT YOUTHS' DIGEST AWARDS
The duo of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Ibrahim Adeyemi and Maryam Abdullah scooped one and two awards each respectively at the just concluded Campus journalism awards.
Ibrahim Adeyemi, a 400 level student of Modern European Languages and Linguistics, bagged the Editor of the year award. While his counterpart, Maryam Abdullah, won the gender equality and the prestigious campus journalist of the year awards, which makes her the overall winner of the year.
Maryam, a columnist, Staff Writer and a 400level student of UDUS, while speaking with our correspondent expressed how amazed and excited she was, bagging the two awards, and as well commended the brain behind the intiative.
"It's amazing. I didn't expect it. Mariam who shouted "Oh, My God! When she was pronounced the winner said with excitement.
Though, Journalism itself has always been time amazing and as well time consuming; the fact that one has to focus on academic which is the primary assignment and also the second assignment, Journalism"
Maryam also advised upcoming writers to be consistent, as it would one day pay off.
"I want to use this medium to say a special "Thank you" to Youth Digest for organising such an amazing event" she lauded.
One of the finalists, Ikulajolu Adesola, commended the organiser for organizing such an events.
"To YOUTHDIGEST, Thanks for a giving us platform to reflect, evaluate and improve. You gave us hope beyond what we could have imagined in a short while. Thanks so much for everything" He commended.
Adekola Mercy, the winner of the broadcaster of the year award category, appreciated youths Digest for creating a life changing platform like this, "big Congratulations to every one of us. See you all at the top" she said.
Maryam Abdullah of UDUS emerged the winner of the overall Campus journalist of the year award and the Gender Equality award while other fourteen awardees are: Abdulsalam Mahmud, ‘Upcoming Writer,’ Ekpali Joseph, ‘Best Feature Reporter’, Ibrahim Adeyemi ‘Best Campus Editor,’ Emmanuel Ayamga ‘Sports Reporter’ award.
Daud Adebayo, ‘Best Magazine’ award on behalf of UNILORIN Watch, Adejumo Kabir, ‘Photojournalist of the Year’ , Aondover Eric ‘Best Author.’
Others award recipients are Alfred Olufemi ‘Best Investigative Reporter,’ Adekola Mercy ‘Broadcaster of the Year,’ Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu ‘Entertainment Writer,’ Oluwatobi Odeyinka ‘Best Opinion Writer,’ Fatima Abbas ‘Social Media Influencer of the Year’, and then the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic’s MAPOLY Press bagged the ‘Best Pen Club’ award.
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