UI students launch pioneer book on campus journalism

A campus journalism-focused book, The Road Before the Fourth Estate written, by two students – Kunle Adebajo and Kanyinsola Olorunnisola – of the University of Ibadan, has been launched. The launch took place on Friday on the sideline of the National Union of Campus Journalists South-West Convention, which held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

The launch of the book, said to be the first of its kind in Nigeria, took place at the Moot Court of OOU, and had in attendance Lekan Otunfodurin, Managing Editor of The Nation Newspapers; Tunde Abatan, Deputy Editor, Independent Newspapers Ltd; Dele Odunlami, Head of Department, Mass Communication; and the OOU Press Club Staff Adviser, Toyin Ajibola.

Delegates, who are campus journalists, from 10 tertiary institutions across the South-West region of Nigeria were also present.

Mr Adebajo while commenting on the book appreciated Otufodurin for his immense support in making the book project a reality. He said that campus journalists would find the book useful as hypothetical questions and answers were employed to make the book as practical and relatable as possible.

“Having noticed a vacuum in the literature regarding student journalism, we decided to embark on this project to empower, enlighten and educate journalists on our various campuses,” he said. “We intended for this book to be something different and peculiar to the needs of campus journalists.”

He continued, “In it, we have answers to hypothetical questions, some of our best works from various genres of journalistic writing and interviews with many veterans and past actors in the industry.

“This book is not aimed to be the end of discussion. It is meant as a trigger to others, such as Adejumo Kabir, Jafar Zubair and Olanrewaju Samuel, with loads of experience as far as campus journalism is concerned to also contribute to the growing wealth of knowledge in the industry,” he added.

Also speaking, Mr Olorunnisola read the blurb written by Dele Momodu, the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, and Mr Otufodunrin. He also appreciated all those whose efforts birthed the book.

Other people who wrote blurbs included AbdulSalam Abdurasaq, the Deputy Director of Programmes, Voice of Nigeria; Festus Adedayo, Special Adviser Media to Ex-Governor of Enugu State and current Governor of Oyo State, and member of the Editorial Board of the Tribune; Ibraheem ‘Jide Alawode, President of the National Union of Campus Journalists; and Deji Adekunle, Programme and Research Associate, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism.

Mr Otunfodurin bought 25 copies of the book, which he said should be distributed evenly among the schools represented. Also, Dele Odunlami launched 5 copies of the book, while Toyin Ajibola launched a copy.