By: Peter Sonaike

The Union of Campus journalists, University of Ibadan held its 35th induction ceremony at the First Bank building, Faculty of Agriculture on Saturday, 24th of February.

The event, which started at exactly 9:55, was graced by Mr. Lasisi Olagunju; the keynote speaker, Mr. Adejumo Kabir; the guest speaker, some former and current members of UCJ and LPOs, as well as the inductees, which were over two hundred in number.

The president of UCJ UI, Oluwatobi Odeyinka, opened the events by appreciating all and sundry for making it to the event and welcoming the inductees to the 35thI nduction ceremony.

The program then proceeded with the delivery of the keynote speech by Mr. Lasisi, who charged the inductees to use journalism as a tool to impact society rather than writing to impress. He proceeded to share with the inductees his past experience and challenges as a journalist, as well as exposed their minds to the opportunities that journalism can fetch them. He further explained that their bylines can put them in trouble and, at the same time, fetch them blessings, urging them to consider their lives first before taking up an article.

Mr. Lasisisi went further to lay emphasis on the importance of being current as a campus journalist. According to him, ”ensure that you not only read widely but you are very, very current with events and with things that are around you. And you must also ensure that you are always careful with how you disseminate pieces of information. Journalists should not be talkatives; it is not everything you know that you must say.”

Towards the end of the event, the inductees, as a tradition, engaged in an oath-taking exercise to serve in the public interest of the university society in accordance with the ethics of journalism. After which, there was a presentation of awards and cash prizes to the three best inductees who participated in the Sunay Oguntola Essay Competition, as well as an award presentation to the best inductee, Ibrahim Feyinfoluwa (Bello Press).