HALEEM OLATUNJI
The National Association of Nigeria Campus Editors has organized the 3rd edition of the Campus Editors’ Summit (CES), the largest annual gathering of all pen-pushers in Nigeria tertiary institutions.
According to President of NANCE, Mr. Lukmon Fasasi, who gave the welcome address, the event which was held on Saturday, 28th January 2017 at Tai Solarin University of Education was although the 3rd edition, but ‘the first official CES to be organized by the constituted authorities (NANCE executives).’
Present at the event were students from the University of Ibadan, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal School of Statistics Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology among others, as well as speakers such as Mr. Wale Ajetun
mobi, Editor at Campus live news platform of The Nation; Mr. Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters; Mr. Fisayo Soyombo, Editor at The Cable; Content Editor of Naij; Mr. Sodiq of Punch Newspaper; among other dignitaries.
While speaking on the topic, “The future of journalism”, Mr. Wale Ajetumobi informed the students that there is no difference between a Campus Journalist and a Journalist, stressing for the proper utilization of the new media. He had said that, because of the presence of new media, stories have broke the barrier of limited readership to global views. “Journalism has left the paper, it is on your palm”, he said.
Mr. Sowore, while speaking on “Campus as training ground for journalists” said that journalism remains the oldest profession in the world, as accounts of incidents that took place in the Bible and Quran were reported by journalists. He condemned the way Nigerian mainstream journalists have decided to enrich their pockets at the expense of feeding the public with the truth. “Any journalism that pampers lies from oppressors or incompetent leaders cannot have a future”, he said. He also urged students to explore the use of new media as he believe that a time will come when the only place newspaper will be found is in the museum.
Mr. Fisayo Soyombo, while speaking on the topic; Campus journalism and the future of the Nigerian Society; admonished journalists present to begin to ask themselves salient questions which will shape their focus and determination for journalism forever, stressing that the greatest height one can attain in the profession is the height of integrity. He said that, “there are brilliant writers but if you don’t have integrity, your star will dim.”
There were panel sessions and questions were asked by the audience. The event ended with the awarding of awards to the Speakers.
