By Faith Zamani
The Department of Mass Communication’s Newspaper arm, Unijos Echo recently held an award ceremony to celebrate outstanding contributions of students for successful completion of the Newspaper Production and Management (MAC 304) course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
The event which took place at the Criminology lecture hall of the Faculty of Social Science presented over 100 certificates of excellence to 87 deserving students who distinguished themselves in the art of news writing and reporting.
The supervising lecturer, Prof. Suleiman Salau, in his address expressed happiness with the students’ accomplishments and output during the production of the Newspaper.
“Having attended numerous schools in Ghana and Nigeria, I’m most pleased by your dedication to learning. I see a desire to learn here. Many congratulations to all of you”. He disclosed.
Prof. Salau went on to commend the course lecturer, Mr. Mabas Akila, describing the students as a fortunate class.
According to him, Mr. Akila’s level of passion is quite impressive as he makes extra efforts to find resources to impart knowledge that will broaden the students’ understanding.
In his remark, Mr. Mabas Akila revealed that the award presentation is to honour the students’ efforts for raising the bar of reportage and innovations in the UniJos Echo management and production.
“I am glad to announce that we have a ton of certificates to honour deserving students today. Upon examining the names, I could not help but think of the 80/20 Pareto rule. We are not suggesting that others did not put in a lot of effort; rather, we are highlighting the exceptional contributions that some have made. We are recognizing their efforts based on this premise”. He reiterated.
Mr. Akila further enthused that the significance of the event will be realised by the student in the nearest future.
“My trust is that in the coming years, you would call us to say thank you so much for today; that these certificates have contributed to getting something for yourself in the future.” He added.
The various category awards were presented to the winners by Prof. Suleiman Salau and Mr. Mabas Akila, with 46 awards going to the two production groups’ editorial board members in recognition of their exceptional leadership and coordination skills, which played a crucial role in the success of the publication.
Oyero Shalom Ore-Ofe, the Editor in Chief of Group 1 and the recipient of the Leadership Award expressed her gratitude for the recognition. “Leading my peers has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. This award is a reminder of the impact we can make when we work together,” she said.
Similarly, Godfrey Akwashiki, Editor-in-Chief for Group 2 expressed his delight for the successful completion of the production. “It’s been an honour to manage such a gifted bunch. I’m thrilled about what we’ve accomplished and eager to see what lies ahead” he said.
Quadri Olatunde Labaika, who emerged as the best Editor and most innovative Member for group 2 expressed his appreciation for the recognition, highlighting that the recognition will serve as motivation to keep exploring new ways to tell stories.
The best female reporter, Zamani Faith, who also took home seven other awards , expressed her excitement and appreciation for the recognition.
“It feels surreal to win this prize. It’s an acknowledgment of the innumerable hours devoted to writing, editing, and research. I appreciate all of my lecturers and coursemates, advice and support.” She revealed.
Some production reporters who didn’t receive awards also shared their experience from their respective points of view.
“I was a bit disappointed, but I see it as an opportunity to grow,” says Aveka Rhoda Osheiza.
“My efforts and the abilities I’ve acquired during the activities in the course are unaffected. The craft of storytelling is the most important thing I have learned. I think the skills I developed in this course—which included crafting compelling and meaningful stories—will be crucial to my future success as a journalist,” she added.
The Newspaper Management and Production (MAC 304) course is a core 300-level course that runs for two semesters and provides Mass Communication students with the hands-on managerial and field experience which prepares them for the very demanding Journalism job.
GROUP 1 (PRODUCTION) AWARD WINNERS:
– Excellence in Feature Writing – John Mary Hope
– Best Arts and Entertainment Coverage – Emmanuel Prince Umahi
– Excellence in Sports Reporting – Ezekiel Enam & Johnson Ezekiel
– Best Visual Storytelling – Favour Adayi
– Most Creative Headline Writing – Akorede Adeniyi
– Best Investigative Reporting – Joseph Ayomide Niyifowowe
– Most Innovative Team Member – Samuel Treasure Abioye
– Excellence in Education Reporting – Elaska Mark
– Political Reporting Excellence – Emmanuel Prince Umahi
– Technology Reporting Excellence – John Mary Hope
– Best Business Reporting – Anthony Oluwaseun & Ezekiel Enam
– Best Health & Wellness Reporting – Ejeh Peace Anne
– Best Male Reporter – Emmanuel Prince Umahi
– Best Female Reporter – Anne Peace Ejeh
– Most Impactful News Story – Akorede Adeniyi Muhammad
– Best Campus News Coverage – Emmanuel Prince Umahi
– School Safety Reporting Excellence – Cabala Weng Yakubu
– Best Editor – John Mary Hope
MERIT AWARDEES GROUP 1
-Most Prolific Writer — Bitrus Margaret Noro and Abel Leah Jagaba
-Most Engaging Stories — Anono Mary Stephanie (Assessing Challenges and Proposing Solutions for Nigerian Public Universities)
Joseph Ayomide Niyifowowe (Faculty of Art Student Association in Turmoil Over Embezzlement Scandal)
-Leadership Award —Oyero Shalom Ore-Ofe
-Photojournalist of the Year — Rosemary Otiwa
-Graphics and Design Award — Zerah Ritji
GROUP 1 (PRODUCTION) AWARD WINNERS:
– Excellence in Feature Writing— Zamani Faith
– Best Arts and Entertainment Coverage—Zamani Faith & Peace Umaru
– Excellence in Sports Reporting— Temitope Abigail Adeshina
– Best Visual Storytelling — Zamani Faith
– Most Creative Headline Writing— Ajifa Solomon
– Best Investigative Reporting— Ajifa Solomon
– Most Innovative Team Member— Quadri Olatunde Labaika
– Excellence in Education Reporting— Brenda Simeone
– Political Reporting Excellence— Peace Umaru
– Technology Reporting Excellence— Favour Aniemeke
– Best Business Reporting— Lucy Sylvester Gabriel
– Best Health & Wellness Reporting — Dakogol Poesmaan Jame
– Best Male Reporter- Noel Gabriel Gowok
– Best Female Reporter—Zamani Faith
– Most Impactful News Coverage— Quadri Olatunde Labaika, Ajifa Solomon, Faith Zamani, Kachollom Bitrus Doro
– Best Campus News Coverage— Faith Zamani
– School Safety Reporting Excellence— Mfon Achibong & Deborah Akassa
– Best Editor— Quadri Olatunde Labaika
MERIT AWARDEES GROUP 2
-Most Prolific Writer —Zamani Faith
-Most Engaging Stories — Unijos flag off N250M Abdulsamad Rabiu Sports Complex by Quadri Labaika, Ajifa Solomon, Faith Zamani and Kachollom Bitrus (1,824 views)
-Leadership Award — Akwashiki Godfrey Lover
-Photojournalist of the Year — Ponsel Dashe
-Graphics and Design Award — Solomon Akiniyi
To close this era of excellence in anticipation of more brilliance to come, the Unijos Echo is curious to know: what were some of your most memorable and fondest moments from this edition of the paper? And as you evolve with us into the future of student-journalism, what visions do you have of what is to come on this platform you’ve grown to love?
We would love to follow your thoughts in the comment section below. Thank you for coming this far with us!
Photo story of the Event
