The General Editor of National Wire, an online news outlet, Mr. Friday Ekeoba, emphasized the significance of business reporting, urging campus journalists to develop expertise in this specialized field to succeed in the competitive media industry.
Speaking at the inaugural Campus Business Journalism Awards, Ekeoba highlighted the growing importance of specialization in journalism, particularly in business reporting. Drawing from his extensive experience as a finance reporter for national dailies such as Tribune and Newswatch, Ekeoba stressed that business reporting offers valuable insights, even in political stories.
“When you report on a university official misappropriating funds, you should research how that money could have been used and you’re already delving into business reporting,” Ekeoba explained. “I encourage you to focus on business journalism to prepare for real-world media practice after your studies.”
The awards ceremony, organized by National Wire, celebrated the achievements of campus journalists excelling in business reporting. Olamide Ayoade, a Mass Communication student from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, won the Best Business Feature award for his article titled “How OOU Student Entrepreneurs Leverage Tech for Career Advancement”, published in Campus Mirror.
Sonaike Peter Omotola, Features Editor and a student at the University of Ibadan, placed second, while Tolulope Ayeye, Editor of Indy Press Organisation and a Law student at the same university, secured third. Indy Press Organisation was also awarded Best Campus Journal of the Year 2024.
Dayo Emmanuel, Chairman of the awards and News Editor at National Wire, shared the vision behind the initiative, stating, “Our website is known for financial reporting, and we want to raise fresh talent for that beat from the campuses.” Emmanuel also acknowledged the support of sponsors Manifold Media and Tayo Olanipekun, expressing hope that the initiative would inspire more campus journalists to explore business journalism.
Victor Emeruwa, Director of Strategy at Manifold Media, praised the initiative for targeting the next generation of reporters, emphasizing that while many young journalists gravitate toward politics, there are ample opportunities in business reporting.
Lekan Otufodunrin, a media trainer and career specialist, commended the focus on business reporting, while Muyiwa Akíntúndé, Editor of Breezy News Nigeria, and Ugonma Cokey, Director of Training at Voice of Nigeria, highlighted the initiative’s potential to equip campus journalists for success in the industry.
Sanmi Falobi, Programme Manager at the International Press Centre (IPC), encouraged the organizers to continue the initiative, underscoring the importance of perseverance in building impactful projects.
Ishaya Ibrahim, Editor at The Niche newspaper and a judge on the panel, praised the contestants’ dedication and urged campus journalists to consider business reporting from a student perspective. He added that business reporting is a unique field with special expertise, encouraging journalists to explore it further.
The event marked a significant milestone in nurturing the next generation of business journalists, providing a foundation for future financial reporting talent.
National Wire, founded in 2016 by journalists from different cohorts of the Bloomberg Media Initiative for Africa (BMIA), has maintained a strong focus on financial reporting, attracting attention both in Nigeria and internationally.
