Building a Successor Generations of Journalists: The Gidado’s Example, by Ismail Omipidan
Are you a believer in responsive and responsible journalism practice in Nigeria? Are you also worried about the dearth of a successor generation of young, brilliant and committed journalists? If yes, then worry no more. There is a young, smart and visionary journalist, Gidado Yushau, who is making deliberate and commendable efforts to fill this yawning gap. He is doing so through a novel initiative known as the Campus Journalism Awards (CJA).
The awards programme, I understand, is currently in its 7th edition. Over the years, Gidado had consistently invited me to grace the occasion, but I was only able to honour the invitation at the 7th edition, which held on December 6, 2025. I must confess that I was glad I did. To my amazement, the event attracted the crème de la crème of the journalism and public relations professions in Nigeria. In attendance were respected media figures such as Azu Ishiekwene, Ali M. Ali, Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, General S.K. Usman (rtd.), Jibrin Ndace, and the father of the initiative’s founder, Yushau Shuaib, among others.
Beyond joining others to celebrate excellence in campus journalism, the event also provided an opportunity for me to network and reunite with old friends. It was particularly heartwarming for me to reconnect with one of my old-time colleagues and fellow MAIDITES, Hajia Aisha Bantam
Started in 2018, the initiative, according to the convener, was conceived to nurture the next generation of journalists. To ensure that the finalists truly deserved their accolades, an on-the-spot assessment was conducted before the eventual emergence of the Campus Journalist of the Year, who turned out to be from my alma mater. He is Usman Bashir Abubakar.
One unique feature of the winner is that he is not even studying Mass Communication. He is a law student from the University of Maiduguri. Listening to him speak passionately about some of the war-related stories he has authored further underscored the relevance, influence and far-reaching impact of the Campus Journalism Awards
As I set out for the event on the day, I left with two copies of my book, Persona Non Grata, to gift the overall winner. Unknown to me, I would be doing the presentation to one of the undergraduates being made from UNIMAID.
Another remarkable takeaway from the event was the reminder that we must stop underrating institutions, regardless of their location. Students from the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto shone like northern stars, outperforming peers from some of the more highly rated universities in the region, including A.B.U. Zaria, B.U.K. Kano and UNILORIN.
For me, Gidado’s initiative is a further vindication that the North is indeed blazing the trail in building successor generations of young journalists. His efforts deserve not only commendation but also support from stakeholders within and outside the media space.
Dear Gidado, as we step into 2026, we look forward to an even more impactful and bumper edition of the Campus Journalism Awards. Congratulations to all the 2025 CJA awardees and finalists.