ACJ Dinner and Award Night Featuring Handing Over

By

​

By Taiwo Adelusi



On Tuesday, 1st September 2026, the Association of Campus Journalists at OAU (ACJOAU) held its Annual Dinner and Award Night themed “Gbàgede Oníròyìn.” The event celebrated the organisation's achievements over the session and recognised outstanding journalists, at the Faculty of Agricultural Foyer.

As guests arrived, the MC invited ACJ President Esther Olatimehin to the stage to deliver the welcome speech. She opened by welcoming all members to the event and reminded them that the organisation serves as a training ground for aspiring journalists. She emphasised that ACJOAU remains committed to the growth and development of its members, stating, “Leadership is not just about ownership but service.”

Esther expressed that the event was an opportunity to appreciate individuals who have dedicated their time and energy to the community. She added that it provides a chance for members to socialise, relax, and have fun.

After the president's speech, the MC called forward Mercy, one of the ACJ members celebrating her birthday. To make the occasion memorable, the MC prompted the members to sing her a birthday song.

The ACJ president was called back to the stage for her final address as president. In her speech, she acknowledged the efforts and contributions of her executive team. She especially recognised the former Chairman of the Guild of Editors for publishing over 300 reports during her administration.

She noted that their term began in July 2025 and highlighted achievements such as hosting various seminars, organising a movie night, securing over 30 internship slots at Lagos Voice, and being awarded as the Best Pen Club of the Year, as well as Best Journal for News Wire, among other accolades.

Esther concluded by expressing pride in the accomplishments of her administration and encouraged the incoming administration to uphold ACJ standards and continue the good work of ACJOAU.

Following her speech, Olamilekan Oluwatofunmi, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, was called to oversee the handing-over process. She acknowledged and appreciated the achievements of the outgoing administration before officially dissolving it.

After the dissolution, she announced the names of the newly elected executives and their respective positions for their oath-taking ceremony. They took the oath and were officially sworn in, receiving congratulations from the former executives.

After the oath-taking, the newly inducted president delivered a speech, expressing gratitude for the previous administration's efforts and advising members to foster cooperation and development within the organisation.

Certificates were then presented to individuals who served on various committees for ICJC 2026, as well as certificates for volunteering for Election Monitoring and Observation. Additionally, certificates were awarded to members of the executive council for the 2024/2025 administration.


Matthew Ogunwale presented a spoken word piece titled “Investigate Me with Love.”

Awards were presented in various categories, including:

- Best Editorial/Article - Israel Bakare for "Man Who Elects the Unelected" (in absentia)
- Best News Story - John Alabi for "Aluta Jet Involved in Accident"
- Best Entertainment - David Ojo for "How OAU Built a Home for Campus Dancer"
- Most Resourceful Member - Meemunah Abdulsalam
- Best Sports Reporter - Adedoyin Onajobi
- Best Upcoming Writer - Ayoade Taofeek
- Best Politics Report - Samuel Faseyitan for "Great Ife Decides 2026: When Apathy Becomes Everyone’s Business"
- Best Fact-check Report - Ogunwale Matthew for "Dod Nans OAU Really Stop…"
- Best Lifestyle Report - David Ojo
- Broadcaster of the Year - Dinyo Rereloluwa
- Best Investigative Reporter - Ogunlana Klistivivi
- Best Education Report - Ezekiel Ogunniyi
- Best Health Report - Omolola Akinwunmi
- Best Collaborative Reporter - Samuel Faseyitan
- Best Feature Report - Ezekiel Ogunniyi
- Most Promising Campus Journalist - John Alabi
- Best Male Campus Journalist - Ezekiel Ogunniyi
- Best Female Campus Journalist - Oristejolomisan Edun
- Best Graduating Campus Journalist - Oluwafemi Adetunji
- Best Executive Member - Esther Olatimehin
- Best News Agency - Icons Organisation
- Best Campus Editor - Adedoyin Oguntade
- Overall Best Campus Journalist - Ezekiel Ogunniyi


The audience voted John Alabi as the Best Dressed Male and Mercy as the Best Dressed Female. Adedoyin delivered a vote of thanks, bringing the event to a close.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NEOLIFE/FHG: What you need to know

By
Image
  Oguntade Adedoyin Neolife which can also be referred to as Golden Neolife Diamite (GNLD)  was established by Jerry Brassfield in 1958 who as a young boy suffered form severe asthma and allergies. Eventually, through the addition of nutritional products to Jerry's diet by his mother, he began to project towards good health. As a result of Jerry's experience, he began to tell others around him who needed good nutrition about his own breakthrough. Through sharing the products and working with people, a financially rewarding business was created. On the long run, Jerry's small network marketing business grew into a global company and this was made possible because of his belief in his products and desire to change lives. Neolife is in operation in over 50 countries across the continents. Neolife came into Nigeria in 2001. Faith Heroic Generation (FHG) is a freelancing organization that focus on connecting businesses and individuals to the ideal freelancer that can handle thei...
Read more

SPECIAL REPORT: Inside UI and OAU Public Hostels

By
Image
By The Icons Organization and Indy Press  For Deborah, a 100-level student and resident of Obafemi Awolowo Hall of residence, University of Ibadan, staying in her hall of residence was a choice she made because she was in her first year of study. She believed this choice was the safest way to get familiar with the school and its environment. Posi, another student, on the other hand, resides in a school hostel due to proximity. “I stay in Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence because of its proximity to classes; the fact that it is cheaper, it is less stressful than house hunting, and much safer than staying outside school,” Posi explained.  Posi's reason for staying in Obafemi Awolowo Hall is the same as that of many students who find themselves in public hostels — it is often cheaper and closer to school. This goes to show just how important hostel accommodation is for students in any university, as it affects both their academics and overall wellbeing.  Unfortun...
Read more

"Ballot and Sell": The MMM of OAU

By
Image
               Oluwafemi Adetunji  One of the most popular timeless African proverbs — “he who has a head has no cap, while the one who has the cap has no head” perfectly mirrors the ugly realities of the undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, particularly their struggles for the limited hostel accommodation. It is no news to the students that securing a bedspace in the OAU undergraduate hall of residence is no right but a privilege, as accommodation is allocated through an online balloting system on a “first come, first served” basis, allowing only the fastest fingers often aided by stable internet connections, to stand a chance of being granted accommodation. Those who also ballot for the hostel but lose out, are usually left frustrated and forced to seek costly off-campus alternatives. READ ALSO: https://theiconsorg.blogspot.com/2025/08/more-than-scandal-what-oaus-catfishing.html Over time, the str...
Read more