By Muheeb Mashood
The campus Journalists at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, have exchanged traditional lecture hours for a transformative four-day intensive training program offered by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development.
The program, held in the boardroom of the Faculty of Social Sciences from October 16 to 19, 2023, brought together over 50 beneficiaries from the National Association of Campus Journalists, UDUS chapter, along with eager Mass Communications students.
The dedication displayed by the students during the training program was nothing short of commendable. Abdulrasheed Akere, a 300-level Biology Education student and one of the trainees, found himself captivated by the journalism profession after attending the training.
Speaking, Akere stressed that he did not regret his choices, convinced that the training was worth the sacrifices he had. He willingly sacrificed academic activities, missing several classes to fully immerse himself in the opportunity.
” Initially, I didn’t feel sad about everything I sacrificed for the training. I know that it deserves it, and it eventually is worth it.
“The lecturer in charge of one of our courses (BIO 304) has completed his lecture, and I’m unable to attend the class even for once. He had also disclosed to the class to get prepared for the test. However, I believe I will catch up because I’m going to read extraordinarily.”
Another trainee, Kamaldeen Aisha, a 200-level Mass Communication student—shared a similar sentiment. She, too, had to forgo lectures, attendance, and even academic marks to engage in the training.
According to Aisha, her commitment to journalism remained unwavering, as she found the training invaluable in honing her skills for a future career in the field.
Her words: “ I’m committed to this journalism field and I will pursue it. Thanks to CJID and Campus Reporter, the training has given me insights and elaborative knowledge about journalism. And I believe it will help me to have a smooth journey in my career.”
Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Journalism: Lesson Learned
In a testament to the unwavering dedication of trainers who traversed great distances to impart their knowledge, Isiaq Ibrahim, a resolute 300-level Primary Education student, extends his heartfelt gratitude. Even in the face of inclement weather conditions and the persistent challenge of inadequate power supply within the university, the trainers remained resolute in their commitment to nurturing the aspirations of their eager trainees.
Isiaq’s involvement in this transformative training program was nothing short of revelatory. The experience unveiled to him the multifaceted world of journalism, encompassing the intricate realms of source mapping, investigative journalism, and the data-driven frontier of this noble profession.
He maintained that through these immersive lessons, he gleaned the paramount importance of diligence, steadfastness, and unwavering consciousness in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of journalism.
“ I am very happy to feature among the students who benefitted from the training session because it exposed him to different endeavors in journalism,” he expressed his gratitude.
We Aim to Build Next-Gen Journalists – The CJID Initiative
Emphasizing the primary goal of the training, CJID’s Project Facilitator, Iretomiwa Dele Yusuf noted that the training is to nurture the next generation of journalists dedicated to upholding accountability through their work. She stressed that post-training mentorship, internships, and other support systems are readily available for students who demonstrate a passion for impactful journalism.
“The major essence of the Campus Reporter’s training is to promote media accountability and sustainability in Nigeria. We have been to several places in Nigeria, and UDUS is among the few places we visited in the North.”
“Since 2017, we have been training campus journalists across Africa, and this is the 36th organization that we trained, she added.
Drawing from the experience as a former campus journalist, Kabiru Musa, an internationally recognized Data journalist working with Premium Times and one of the trainers—highlighted challenges faced by student journalists, including restrictions on their freedom and the fear of intimidation from school authorities.
Kabiru Yusuf expressed his joy in contributing to this initiative, as it allowed him to repay the organization for the opportunities he received during his campus journalism days.
He said, “I’m one of the beneficiaries of the CJID opportunity while on campus. I was very happy when I received their invitation to this training because it gave me an avenue to repay what the organization had done for me. It also gives me a sense of belonging because I was able to impact my knowledge on other people.”
He further noted that the CJID and the Campus Reporter are among the limited organizations that are filling the vacuum by providing resources and holding programs that are readily dedicated to campus journalism.