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By Taiwo Adelusi The Association of Campus Journalists (ACJOAU) held its dinner and award night on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to celebrate the achievements of the 2025/2026 session. The event, themed “Gbàgede Oníròyìn,” recognized the outstanding accomplishments made during this period, particularly highlighting the significant contributions during the "members era." On Sunday, August 23, 2026, ACJ released the list of award nominees, which featured 23 categories. The Icons Organisation was nominated for the Overall Best News Agency, and its members received nominations across various categories. During the dinner and awards ceremony, Icons and its members excelled, winning 13 out of the 23 awards announced by the Association of Campus Journalists. The awarded categories included: https://theiconsorg.blogspot.com/2026/09/acj-dinner-and-award-night-featuring.html - Best News Agency: Icons Organisation - Overall Best Campus Journalist: Ezekiel Ogunniyi - Best Campus Editor: Ad...

​ 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 f...

     Kehinde Ayodele On Sunday, August 30, the Icons  Organisation inducted its newly elected executives while celebrating the achievements of its outgoing administration during its annual picnic, themed " Flavours and Friendship."  The event brought together members, executives, and outgoing finalists and included the induction of the new executives, recognition of outstanding members, and a review of the organisation's activities and accomplishments, along with a series of games and interactive activities. The programme commenced at 3:18 p.m. with an opening prayer, followed by the national and GreatIFE anthems led by  Ijeoma Anele. The event was moderated by Joy Oludele and Michael Olawuyi, after which the Editor-in-Chief, Oluwafemi Adetunji, delivered the welcome address.  In his address, Oluwafemi expressed gratitude to the previous Editor-in-Chief, Adedoyin Oguntade, other executives and members, for their contributions to the organisation's grow...

          Fawas Adedeji In anticipation of the celebration and recognition of outstanding campus journalists excelling in news reporting and article writing, the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), has publicly announced the nominees for its award categories. The event is scheduled to feature dinner, handing-over, and awards presentation, acknowledging excellence and significant contributions to campus journalism. Towards the end of July, Adedoyin Oguntade, Chairman of the Guild of Editors, delivered a public announcement about the upcoming Dinner and Awards Night, encouraging members to prepare for a joyous atmosphere filled with celebration as the Association wraps up the current session. "Get ready for the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJOAU) Dinner, Awards, and Handover Ceremony, tagged 'Gbagede Oniroyin.' Join us for an exciting evening filled with fun, great food, and music, while networking as we end t...

          Israel Bakare & Michael Olawuyi  Long before the morning sun cuts through the mist over the Obafemi Awolowo University campus, a lone female figure is usually already down on the dirt. For Lucas Victoria, a Part 3 Political Science student, 6:30 a.m. is not just an early hour, it’s the threshold where sweat, ambition, and discipline meet. Known across campus simply as “Impressive,” Victoria is a quarter-miler, a 400-meter runner, and one of the standout athletes of the OAU Spartans. However, on a campus where female student-athletes routinely face steep uphill battles, her story isn't just about times on a stopwatch. It’s about breaking administrative glass ceilings, dodging potholes on makeshift practice grounds, and proving that speed and leadership can share the same lane.   The Spark and the Track Victoria’s journey as a runner began long before she gained admission to Great Ife. In secondary school, she competed without b...

          Taiwo Deborah On August 8, 2026, the Great Ife Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, officially launched its website, https://www.greatifesu.com, marking a major step toward strengthening communication, transparency, and engagement within and beyond the campus. The initiative has been aptly described as a “Home of Expression.” The announcement was made in a press release signed by the Union’s outgoing Secretary General, Habeeb Oke, ISA (Opeyemi), on behalf of the leadership. According to the statement, the website is designed as a central hub for Union announcements, news, events, and key resources. It also provides students, alumni, and stakeholders worldwide with a seamless way to stay connected to developments within the Great Ife community. The Union described the platform as one of the defining achievements of the outgoing administration, noting that it represents a significant milestone in projecting the voice, activ...

            Israel Bakare  “For learning and culture… sports and struggle.” Beyond its place in the GreatIFE anthem, this phrase continues to reflect the lived reality of many students who are juggling academic demands with active participation in sports. As examination pressure intensifies across campus, lecture halls, libraries, and reading rooms are filled with students preparing for their examination. Yet, in a striking contrast, football pitches, basketball courts, and other sporting arenas remain active, occupied by student-athletes determined to keep both their academic and sporting ambitions alive. Speaking with the ICONS correspondent, Emmanuel Ahononvi, who featured in a church football match between FYB and Household Brethren on Sunday, August 2, explained that his commitment to football remains unwavering despite the demands of exams. According to him, his approach to academics is strategic rather than time-consuming. “Once I h...

By Adedoyin Oguntade Adetunji Oluwafemi (Àyànféelédùmarè), a prominent member serving as the Production Manager of the Icons Organization, received the "Lekan Otufodunrin Campus Journalism Best Fellowship 2024 Award" on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Additionally, he was honored with the Overall Best Fellow award across all categories by the African Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) during the 3rd edition of the Africa Media Come Alive Forum 2024, which took place today at the Center for Management and Development in Magodo, Lagos. The African Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) is a Nigerian media outlet and the founder of a news website called "Nigeria Grassroot News." It was established to strengthen and promote a vibrant, independent African media landscape that supports professionals who advocate for an open, inclusive, and sustainable society. READ ALSO: Great Ife Students' Union Announces Regulated POS Charges The AF...

          Israel Bakare Long live the spirit of the Union! Victoria Ascerta! These are the songs we all know, it is the chants we all have mastered, and rituals we all perform with conviction. Yet perhaps, just perhaps, another slogan deserves a louder ovation: “Long live the Invisible.”  Applause! Applause!! Applause!!! Congratulations are certainly in order for such a well-decorated honour. It is no small feat to remain politically relevant long after elections have packed their bags and moved on. While ordinary students graduate and pursue uncertain futures, the "King Maker" achieve something far greater: permanent residency in the corridors of student politics. Honour, in Ogbafemi politics, belongs to whom it is carefully arranged for. What a beautiful ceremony it is, as some receive votes, others attain office, but the truly accomplished receive awards. How reassuring it is to know that student politics still recognizes excellence, not nec...

        Israel Bakare Block 2 completed a stunning turnaround to emerge champions of the Adekunle Fajuyi Hall Inter-Block Competition, defeating Block 1 in a dramatic, high-scoring final that was ultimately decided on penalties. The final, played on Monday, August 3, kickoff around 4:30 p.m., delivered all the intensity and unpredictability expected of a title decider. Coming into the tournament as underdogs after a shaky start, Block 2 defied expectations early in the game, racing to a commanding three-goal lead in the first half. Their clinical finishing and attacking momentum left Block 1 struggling to find rhythm in the opening stages. However, Block 1 mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, turning the match into a goal fest. In a thrilling display of resilience and attacking football, they fought back to level the score at 5–5 by stoppage time, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout. From the spot, Block 2 held their nerve, converting mor...

          Israel Bakare Akorede Kamaldeen has delivered a match-winning performance, netting a brilliant brace to propel Block 2 into the final of the Adekunle Fajuyi Hall Inter-Block Competition, after a commanding 2–0 victory over Block 3. The forward’s decisive display ensured his side booked a place in the final, capping off a dramatic turnaround for Block 2, who had earlier suffered back-to-back defeats and were on the brink of elimination. Their resurgence has been one of the biggest stories of this year’s competition. The 2026 edition of the tournament kicked off at exactly 4 p.m. on Friday, July 10, with the opening clash between Annex I & K and Block 2. Since then, the competition has been filled with surprises, none bigger than Block 2’s remarkable run to the final.                  Block 2 had only a single win at the group stage  Kamaldeen is now set to lead his side into a...

      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,...

          Taiwo Deborah Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has honoured outstanding contributions to research, public service, mentorship, and educational development at the 2026 Academic Research Excellence Awards held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The event recognized eminent Nigerians and corporate partners, including Professor Oladapo Afolabi, CFR, former Head of Service of the Federation, for his distinguished contributions to academia, governance, and national development. The ceremony, which attracted alumni, faculty members, students, and industry leaders, also featured the announcement of key initiatives, including the proposed establishment of the Oladapo Afolabi Center for Good Governance and Professional Etiquette, as well as the expansion of the OPay OP Scholars Programme to 40 universities across Nigeria. Professor Afolabi was honoured for his exceptional capacity to execute responsibilities effectively and his commit...