By Diran Laolu
The Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ), 38th Induction Ceremony and Global Journalism Summit held on Saturday, September 19, 2026 brought together campus journalists from the university of ibadan and other invited guest.
Speaking with IndyPress at the end of the event, newly inducted journalists shared their expectations, concerns and perspectives on the relevance of campus journalism and their journey into the profession.
This Vox Pop captures what some of the inductees think about the summit, their induction into UCJ and the role of campus journalism in shaping the next generation of journalists.
What were your expectations before coming for the summit?
Michael Ojewole, EconXpress:
“My expectation was that I was going to listen to insightful discussions and conversations regarding ethical practices in the press and hear about the experiences of seasoned journalists who have walked this path before me and are doing very well outside of here.
“My expectation was not cut short, obviously, because I would say that I actually learned a lot. I mean, hearing the experiences of people.”
Adeshina Oluwafadekemi Adenike, UIMSA Press:
“When I saw that they said the Minister for Information and Strategy from Lagos State was coming, I was really excited. I was really expecting to see him because if we’re talking about journalism on a broader scale, I was expecting to see somebody who is actually on that larger pedestal.”
Emmanuel Fabunmi, AFAS Press:
“My expectation was to learn from experienced media personnel.”
What stood out to you from the summit?
Michael Ojewole, EconXpress:
“One thing that stood out for me was hearing people say that you are first a student before you are a member of the press. So, you have to be very mindful of your studentship. You don’t just go and start writing things that would eventually get you expelled.
“But still, you should question things. Don’t accept things in the status quo. That was my takeaway from the session today.”
Adeshina Oluwafadekemi Adenike, UIMSA Press:
“That you’re a campus journalist does not make you not a real journalist. Being a campus journalist means you are also a journalist in the broader sense of it. So, you are not limited by your campus.”
Elizabeth, NASELS Press:
“What stood out for me, as an inductee and also as a journalist, was when one of the speakers said, ‘Stories are around you and you don’t wait for your editor-in-chief to tell you to write.’
“Normally, if they don’t reach out, I will not write. But what he said actually moved me a lot to keep on writing and looking around me because he said, ‘Around you, there are stories.’ So, that actually stood out for me.”
Emmanuel Fabunmi, AFAS Press:
“One thing I learned in this summit is that we should analyse. Journalism involves analysis. Things are happening, and we have to analyse them and inform experts in the things that we are doing.”
What does journalism mean to you?
Elizabeth, NASELS Press:
“Journalism is about writing and informing people about what is going on in society. And it’s not just informing people, but informing people of the correct thing, the actual thing that is going on.”
Emmanuel Fabunmi, AFAS Press:
“Journalism is communication between things around us. You have to connect people, inform people and educate people.”
How has your journey as a pressman been so far?
Emmanuel Fabunmi, AFAS Press:
“It has been… I’ve learned new things and, since I started, I’ve been able to develop myself.”
Why did you decide to be inducted into UCJ?
Sanusi Samuel, Larissa Press:
“At first, this has been what I’ve been aiming for, actually. Being inducted simply means you are a bona fide journalist under the umbrella of UCJ.”
What did you take away from the summit about practising journalism?
Sanusi Samuel, Larissa Press:
“What I took home was from the panelists’ views and what they had for us. Number one is that when you are reporting, don’t be biased. Accountability matters. You have to stand by your article.”
Michael Ojewole, EconXpress:
“There is this particular part of the press that I wanted to be a part of and that I was thinking I should go into: investigative journalism. I read a lot about it.
“There was a time Aduwo Ayodele came to my local press organisation to teach us about investigative journalism. Now, hearing about how some people have written something and have gotten suspended, there’s first off, a lot of fear that’s put in your mind.
“But hearing from people today that you are first a student before you’re a member of the press made me realise that you have to be mindful of your studentship. Still, you should question things and not accept things in the status quo.”
What was your experience of the induction, and what did you win?
Adeshina Oluwafadekemi Adenike, UIMSA Press:
“I won the prize for the Best Inductee of the 38th UCJ Induction.”
What would you tell those aspiring to be inducted into UCJ?
Adeshina Oluwafadekemi Adenike, UIMSA Press:
“I think I’ll just advise that they be very present in the activities that UCJ organises for them.
“For example, during the training session that we had before the exam, there were a lot of things that were discussed and a lot of insights that were shared. There were even a lot of questions that were asked that eventually came out in the exam. It was not like they explicitly said they were going to ask those questions, but in the course of the teaching, they made mention of them.
“So, they should be very active and very attentive in everything that UCJ does. And they should not just say that because it is a press organisation and their goal here in UI is strictly their academics, they should not take it seriously.
“Even if it is press, they should not say, ‘Okay, because it is press, it is not necessarily contributing to my academics.’ They should still take it seriously.”
Elizabeth, NASELS Press:
“I will tell them that joining UCJ is not just about writing. When I wanted to join, I was like, ‘I just want to join UCJ, I just want to join UCJ.’ But today, the panelists’ sessions were so beautiful, and I now have a full idea of what journalism actually is.
“I remember when they were saying that if you want to be a journalist after school, raise your hand. I was looking around and I was like, ‘Am I going to be or not?’
“But my advice for them is that they should see journalism as something important, not just for the certificate or popularity alone. They should take it seriously.”
Sanusi Samuel, Larissa Press:
“I would just say, look beyond. Don’t let your current condition define you. Aspire. When you aspire and move forward, there are so many opportunities ahead. So, at least, aspire to move forward.”
Emmanuel Fabunmi, AFAS Press:
“What I have for them is that they should be ready to take up the task and be selfless. You have to take up this task because it’s a task. It’s a thankless task.”
