BY NGOZI ONYEAKUSI

Online news platform, National Wire has announced winners of the second edition of its National Wire Campus Business Journalism Awards. In a well attended online event, investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo charged the campus journalists from various institutions on integrity, telling them journalism is the best profession amongst others. DAYO EMMANUEL reports.

Founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, has urged campus journalists to remain committed to journalism, describing the profession as one of the most fulfilling careers despite its challenges.

Soyombo spoke on Friday during the second edition of the National Wire Campus Business Journalism Awards, where he encouraged students to see campus journalism as an important foundation for future success.

Addressing participants virtually at the event moderated by Blessing Oladunjoye, the award-winning investigative journalist said students already involved in campus journalism possess an advantage over many aspiring journalists who only begin their careers after graduation.

“Every young campus journalist on this call is already in the best place possible,” Soyombo said. “Starting journalism from the campus gives you a head start. Even if others appear more brilliant, they will discover later that you are already ahead because of the experience you gained early.”

He noted that while journalism may not always provide the highest financial reward, it offers rare opportunities for impact and fulfilment.

“There are jobs that may pay more money, but few careers give the level of fulfilment journalism offers. Journalism gives you the opportunity to influence society and hold power accountable,” he said.

Soyombo stressed that integrity remains the most important quality for journalists, above eloquence or mastery of language.

“Journalism is not just about diction or grammar. The greatest asset a journalist can have is integrity. If you practise journalism honestly and put public interest above personal gain, you will not only succeed professionally, you will also be fulfilled personally,” he stated.

He congratulated the winners and encouraged participants who did not win to continue improving themselves, noting that learning to cope with setbacks is part of growth.

Earlier, Chairman of the Awards and News Editor of National Wire, Dayo Emmanuel, reflected on the ten-year journey of the online publication and the vision behind the establishment of the National Wire Campus Business Journalism Awards.

According to him, National Wire was founded by a group of journalists who previously worked at Newswatch Times and wanted to build a credible media platform with strong focus on business and financial journalism.

Emmanuel said the initiative to organise the awards emerged from concerns about grooming the next generation of business journalists in Nigeria.

“We asked ourselves who was preparing the next generation of business reporters, and that question gave birth to this award,” he said.

He explained that the organisers rejected the notion that campus journalists could not report business stories effectively.

“Business exists everywhere. Students pay school fees, buy food, pay transport fares and manage daily economic realities. Campuses themselves are miniature economies,” he stated.

He also said that the competition was designed not merely to reward winners but to stimulate interest in business and development reporting among students across disciplines.

Emmanuel noted that entries for the second edition came from several institutions, including
Usmanu Danfodiyo University,
Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan ane Olabisi Onabanjo University.

He also appreciated members of the judging panel, led by Seun Akioye, alongside Ishaya Ibrahim of TheNiche newspaper and Ugonma Cokey of the Voice of Nigeria, for ensuring credibility and fairness in the selection process.

Emmanuel further acknowledged the contributions of supporters and sponsors, including Manifold Media, Tayo Olanipekun and media professionals who sustained the vision behind the awards.

Chairman of the Panel of Judges, Seun Akioye, commended participants for the quality of entries submitted and encouraged them to remain committed to journalism regardless of the outcome of the competition.

Akioye said many of the stories submitted reflected the qualities highlighted by Soyombo, particularly integrity and commitment to public interest reporting.

“Submitting an entry alone shows that you already possess the potential to become successful journalists,” he said.

Drawing examples from successful former campus journalists, Akioye mentioned Kemi Busari of Dubawa as one of several journalists who started from campus journalism and later built remarkable careers.

He assured participants that mentorship opportunities remain available to help them grow professionally.

“We are here to guide and support you. Journalism has taken many people to places they never imagined, and many respected editors and reporters today started as campus journalists,” he said.

Akioye also encouraged students to recruit more writers into campus journalism to strengthen the future of the profession.

Editor of National Wire, Friday Ekeoba, also charged participants to pursue excellence and integrity in reporting.

According to him, business journalism requires discipline, accuracy and the ability to connect data with human realities.

“Business stories are not just about profit and loss. Behind every policy and economic decision are real people whose lives are affected,” Ekeoba said.

He urged campus journalists to prioritise accuracy over speed, especially in the age of social media, stressing that credibility remains the most valuable asset for journalists.

Ekeoba also advised students to begin developing expertise in financial and economic reporting early by reading annual reports, budgets and policy documents while still on campus.

“Build your expertise now. Understand economic issues early and learn how to interpret figures and documents responsibly,” he said.

Announcing winners in the Best Campus Business Story category, member of the judging panel, Ugonma Cokey, praised all participants for their efforts and resilience.

Cokey announced Matthew Ogunwale, a 400 level Education and English Language student at the Obafemi Awolowo University as the second runner-up for his story on student housing, while Jimoh Abdulrasheed Olokoto, a 300 level Law student at the University of Ibadan emerged first runner-up with a story titled “The Business of Survival.”

The overall winner of the category was Rasheedat Adedamola Abidiesin for her entry titled “Inside World of Small Business.”

Cokey noted that the winning entries demonstrated that journalism excellence is not restricted to Mass Communication students.

She observed that Abidiesin is a 200-level Law student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, while other top contestants also came from disciplines such as Law, Education and English Language.

“It shows students can excel in journalism regardless of their academic discipline if they are passionate about writing and storytelling,” she said.

Another member of the panel, Ishaya Ibrahim, later announced ACJOAU as winner of the Best Campus Journal category.

Ibrahim described the judging process as rigorous due to the quality of entries received and advised participants not to be discouraged by defeat.

“When you do not win, it gives you an opportunity to improve,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the winners, Matthew Ogunwale, a student of Education and English Language at the Obafemi Awolowo University appreciated the organisers for sustaining initiatives that promote campus journalism and encourage young writers.

Also speaking at the event, Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, commended the organisers for investing in the future of journalism.

Otufodunrin expressed optimism that the initiative would help nurture a new generation of journalists capable of sustaining professional standards in the Nigerian media industry.

“We are glad to see a new generation willing to take up the profession, and we commend the organisers for creating this platform,” he said.