CJA2025: The ICONS Organization’s Editor-in-Chief Makes Dual Category Finals

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           Ezekiel Ogunniyi 

The 2025 Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) has ignited fresh excitement within the ICONS Organisation News Agency following the double nomination of its Editor-in-Chief, Oluwafemi Adetunji, in the highly competitive annual campus journalism award contest. The recognition has attracted a wave of congratulatory messages from colleagues and mentors who described it as a “deserved milestone” for a budding journalist known for accuracy, depth, and ethical storytelling.

The Youth Digest Initiative’s Campus Journalism Awards, established in 2017, has grown into one of Nigeria’s most credible platforms for celebrating outstanding student journalists. Now in its seventh edition, this year’s award themed “AI and the Future of Journalism” seeks to explore how young reporters can embrace emerging technologies while upholding ethical values. The winners across all categories will be announced on Saturday, December 6, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Reacting to his nomination, Oluwafemi described the double shortlist as both surprising and motivating, noting that the 2025 edition attracted over 364 entries from 50 institutions, making the shortlist even more competitive. He also revealed that he studied several award-winning stories from past editions to better understand the storytelling strengths required for the contest.

                Oluwafemi Adetunji, the ICONS Organization's EIC

Speaking further, he revealed that one of his shortlisted works — “From 487 to 678: Mysterious Surge in Ballot Papers Raises Doubts in Faculty of Law” — came with intense pressure, as students relied on him to make sense of irregularities in the electoral process. He recounted spending days verifying figures, cross-checking information, and investigating the unexplained increase in ballot papers before publication.

His shortlisted sports story —”Inside OAU: The Dilapidated State of Sport Facilities” — also presented its own obstacles, including being denied access to certain facilities he intended to document.

Reflecting on the journey, he urged young campus journalists to embrace excellence and broaden their vision beyond their immediate environment. In his words, “What is worth doing is worth doing well, please, don't settle for less, aim high.” 

This nomination comes a year after he emerged “Overall Best Fellow” and “Best Campus Journalist” of the African Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) 2024 Campus Journalism Fellowship, a moment he described as his first major breakthrough.

READ ALSO: http://theiconsorg.blogspot.com/2024/11/icons-member-wins-overall-best-campus.html

 Oluwafemi believed that the latest recognition marks a new phase in his pursuit of stronger impact and wider national visibility.

As the award ceremony draws closer, Oluwafemi remains optimistic about clinching both categories.




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