THE ICONS ORGANIZATION — a frontline platform for accurate, timely, and unbiased news coverage.

      Blessed Elemikan The Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU) on Wednesday 29th July, held her annual election for the 2024/2025 academic session to usher in a new set of leaders. The election took place at ACJOAU Press Room, Block 4, Topmost Floor, Fajuyi Hall. The voting process which was scheduled for 10AM, began at about 10:50AM with the counting of ballot papers which amounted to 50.  The voting exercise which was supposed to end by 2PM was extended till 2:30PM to accommodate more voters. Notable electorates were Esther Olatimehin (the incumbent President of the Association), Mercy Ojegbola (Vice President), Adedoyin Oguntade (Chairman, Guild of Editors), Matthew Ogunwale (General Secretary), Mercy Olabiyi (Financial Secretary), Akano Jesuloba (Assistant General Secretary) and Samuel Faseyitan (Librarian).  At the end of the voting process, Dinyo Rereloluwa emerged as the Director of Socials with 4...

           Sofiat Yusuf On a hot Friday afternoon at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the usual sea of students flowed through every corner of the campus, going about their daily routines. Yet, amid the movement and noise, one striking pattern stood out, an overwhelming majority of students adorned in native attire. Ankara, Adire, and other traditional fabrics dominated the scene, presenting a sharp contrast to the tucked-in shirts and Western outfits that define weekday fashion.   This visible shift raises a compelling question: why is native wear largely reserved for weekends?   For an institution whose motto is “For Learning and Culture,” the limited presence of indigenous fashion during the week suggests an underlying contradiction. While OAU prides itself on cultural consciousness, Western-style dressing continues to dominate academic spaces from Monday to Friday.   For some students, the answer lies in habit. Emerald, a s...

            Oluwafemi Adetunji  In what can only be described as a masterclass in unpredictability or perhaps improvisation, the ongoing Great Ife Students’ Union election, particularly for the presidential aspirants, has delivered a storyline rich enough to rival prime-time political drama. At the beginning, it was a simple race between three aspirants; Ikuuboy, Emmanuel, and Iseoluwa, who stepped forward, armed with ambition, slogans, and varying degrees of confidence. Campaign posters adorned walls, WhatsApp statuses became campaign billboards, and manifesto promises flowed like free Wi-Fi that never quite connects. Among them, Iseoluwa appeared particularly determined, he was the first to set the tone by launching his campaign with an imposing banner strategically placed at strategic points on  campus. Yet, his campaign style was methodical: quiet mobilization through class representatives, calculated outreach, and a steady build-u...

              Adedoyin Onajobi  Ahead of the Great Ife Students’ Union election, aspirants for the position of Director of Sports unveiled their manifestos and fielded questions from the press on critical issues shaping sports development at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The press confrontation, held on July 22 at the 1000 Seaters Lecture Theatre, spotlighted key themes including gender inclusivity, publicity, digitalisation, talent discovery, and the structural future of campus sports. Responding to a question on gender inclusivity, Abudu Ayobami Fatai (Bambam) anchored his vision on “continuity and inclusivity,” emphasizing the need to not only encourage participation but also build confidence among athletes, particularly female students. He stressed that his administration would ensure equal visibility for all sports while sustaining initiatives such as the Sports Fiesta and reviving Inter-Hall competitions. In contrast...

          Onajobi Adedoyin The ICONS Organization, a news agency under the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), conducted its 2026/2027 executive elections on Sunday, July 19 at the First Bank Lecture Theatre (FBLT). The election, originally scheduled for 4:00 p.m., commenced at 4:15 p.m., accommodating delays attributed to the inoperability of CNG buses, which affected members’ arrival. The brief delay also allowed members to interact and introduce themselves before voting began. In attendance was the immediate past Editor-in-Chief of the organization, who is currently the Chairman of the Guild of Editors, ACJOAU, Adedoyin Oguntade, who charged members to prioritize the progress, continuity, and institutional development of ICONS. He emphasized that every accomplished media professional begins from modest foundations, urging members to maximize opportunities within the organization to build their careers. A total o...

        Michael Olawuyi At ‎ every second semester on OAU campus, one question quietly emerges: Why do some students passionately participate in student politics while others remain indifferent? While many people blame apathy or poor leadership, the answer often begins much earlier, at home. Even long before students ever step foot on a university campus, they form opinions about power and governance. As a child raised in a home that encourages open debate and civic responsibility is far more likely to view political participation as a duty. In alignment with this Karl Marx, a political socialization scholar, once said 'the family is the first institution where people get to develop their political attitudes, values, and beliefs.'  Conversely, many Nigerian parents raise their children with a deep-seated politicophobia i.e. a fear of campus politics born out of a historical reality of violence, cultism, and academic victimization. Acting out of love,...