NACJ Inducts Mass Communication Students

 

Abdullateef Bala Usman and Kamaldeen Aishat, Report,

On Sunday, October 22, 2023, the National Association of Campus Journalists, under the leadership of Abdulwasiu Olokooba, convened a congress meeting at the A134 lecture hall in Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The purpose of this meeting was for the association to continue its campus journalists' congress and induct students from the Mass Communication Department into the association.

The meeting, which began at 11:00 a.m. commenced with an opening prayer by a member and remarks from the association's president, Abdulwasiu Olokooba. He noted the success of the recently concluded training organized by the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on October 19, 2023. The president expressed his gratitude for the collective efforts of the members and the organizing committee, which contributed to the success of the training.

"I want to first of all thank our organizing committee, food and logistics committee, and even the participants, for it wouldn't have been possible without you all," he expressed.

The meeting, attended by NACJ intending members, current members, executives, and Mass Communication students, then focused on the induction of the Mass Communication students. Abdulrahman Abdulganiyu Akanbi, the General Secretary of NACJ, administered the induction oath to a total of 43 inductees.

Akanbi urged the inductees to be committed to their respective press boards and NACJ as a whole stressing that journalism is a practical profession. 

The inductees, standing firmly and holding their pens as instructed, uniformly took the induction oath.

During the meeting, Anas Abdulrahman, a 300-level Mass Communication student and also the class representative, was called upon to the podium by the president of the association to address his colleagues.

With a brave and unwavering voice, Anas addressed the gaps between Mass Communication students and the field of journalism. He emphasized the relevance of journalism to Mass Communication, considering it as the practical aspect of the theories taught in their classes. Anas stated, "If a mathematician, trained to find 'x,' or a lawyer taught to defend clients and plaintiffs, can have a passion for journalism, then why can't Mass Communication students, who are the primary owners of journalism?," 

He concluded by urging all Mass Communication students to take journalism seriously as a fundamental element of their field.

Inductees Express Happiness

In an exclusive interview with Janet Bala Sule, one of the inducted Mass Communication students, she expressed the challenges faced by students in the Mass Communication Department, particularly the lack of cooperation and teamwork. She advised that working together and supporting one another is a driving force for success. She added, "It is also crucial that we gain practical, hands-on experience, rather than just theoretical knowledge." 

She concluded by hoping that NACJ members will take these challenges seriously and work to overcome them.

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Kpede Daniel, one of the inductees, stated, "Saying that I am glad to be part of NACJ would be a huge understatement. It has been one of the greatest opportunities I have ever had," he said outlining the likely future challenges, saying, "Anyone considering joining NACJ should be prepared for the challenges of multitasking." 

He added also that students should be focused, and dedicated, and cultivate good time management skills.

NACJ Executives React

When Vanguard Press reached out to the General Secretary of NACJ, Abdulrahman Abdulganiyu Akanbi, he expressed that the induction of Mass Communication students is a positive initiative. He presumed that with the orientation received at the congress today, these students would become committed and dedicated members. He further stressed that NACJ is focused on inducting only active members. "Inducting Mass Communication students is a good thing, though we are mostly concerned about inducting active members into NACJ, and I believe that these students will be active due to the orientation they have received today," he said.

"It is a life-promoting opportunity for Mass Communication students. Inducting them into NACJ is an opportunity for them to thrive," expressed Bilyaminu Mane, the Assistant Secretary-General of NACJ, in an exclusive WhatsApp chat with Vanguard Press . He further noted that NACJ members have broken many records and highlighted that there were no Mass Communication students among them. "The future of NACJ and UDUS is destined to be a brighter one," he concluded.

Abdulrahman Abdulganiyu Akanbi, speaking further, emphasized that Mass Communication students are the rightful owners of journalism. He stated, "Journalism is for Mass Communication students. They are the rightful owners of journalism, so they are now at home." 

He also added that as they join the profession, they will incorporate what they have learned into practice. "NACJ is happy to have Mass Communication students within our midst," he concluded.