Campus journalists and student-reporters have been urged to hone their skills in business reporting.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Campus Business Journalism Awards organised by National Wire, its General Editor Friday Ekeoba, highlighted the importance of specialisation in journalism, particularly in business reporting, to stand out in the competitive media landscape.
He explained the potential within business reporting, even in political stories.
“When you report that a university official has misappropriated x amount of money, research into what facilities that amount can provide, and you are delving into business reporting,” he said.
He encouraged participants to develop a niche in business journalism to prepare for real-world media practice after their studies.
Campus journalists who had excelled in business reporting were honoured.
In the Best Business Feature category, Olamide Ayoade, a Mass Communication student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, with his entry earlier published on Campus Mirror entitled: “How OOU Student Entrepreneurs Leverage Tech for Career Advancement”, was adjudged as the winner.
Sonaike Peter Omotola, Features Editor and a student of Education and Political Science at the University of Ibadan, secured second place, while Tolulope Ayeye, Editor of Indy Press Organisation and a Law student at the University of Ibadan, placed third.
Indy Press Organisation also clinched the title of Best Campus Journal of the Year 2024, establishing itself as the top campus magazine.
Chairman of the awards and News Editor of National Wire, Dayo Emmanuel explained the vision behind the initiative: “Our website is strong on financial reporting, and we intend to raise fresh reporters into that beat from the campuses.
“We decided to encourage campus journalists already trying their hands on business reporting, so we put up the call for entries to identify them. Initially, we were not expecting fantastic reports while people were worried for us that we may not get any entry because campus journalists don’t write business stories, but we were bent on starting from somewhere.”
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Emmanuel, however, acknowledged the support of Manifold Media and Tayo Olanipekun, the main sponsors, and expressed optimism that the experience would inspire campus journalists to explore financial reporting further.
Director of Strategy at Manifold Media, Victor Emeruwa praised the organisers for strategically targeting the next generation of reporters.
“Many young people want to look into politics because that is what can easily trend, but fantastic opportunities exist in the business desk,” he said.
Lekan Otufodunrin, media trainer and career specialist, praised the focus on business reporting among campus journalists. “This is commendable because it is focusing on the next generation of journalists,” he said.
Editor of Breezy News Nigeria, Muyiwa Akintunde highlighted the initiative’s potential to nurture future journalists, while Director of Training at Voice of Nigeria, Ugonma Cokey noted its role in equipping campus journalists for the industry. “This is unique because it shows campus journalists the need for business reporting, positioning them a step ahead when they join the industry,” she said.
Programme Manager of the International Press Centre (IPC), Sanmi Falobi urged the organisers to sustain the initiative.
“You must not relent and must not despise the days of small beginnings. Many of us look back at projects that started as dreams and are now big,” he said.
Representing the panel of judges, Editor at The Niche newspaper, Ishaya Ibrahim praised the contestants’ commitment and urged campus journalists to explore business reporting from a student’s perspective.
“Business reporting is a unique field with its specialities, and campus journalists should look in that direction to tell the outside world what happens in that field,” he stated.
