By- Adedokun Seyi
Meet Alao Abiodun Joshua. He has a lot to share with his fellow students and campus journalists at large, some realities. With his prowess, he has won awards, popularity and love for himself and he is a mentor to many today.
Agropress organization has found it needful to get into a pool of words exchange with this egnimatic, up-to-date, timely, ubiquitous and astute news writer and reporter, publicist and political commentator. While on campus, he was a member of the union of campus journalists, and former editor-in-chief of NUESA Press organization of faculty of education.
With Agropress, he has done justice to some secrets, activism and relationship. Do enjoy our confabulatio.
We all know you, but can we know more about you?
Hmm, “we all know you” sounds like I’m the president of Nigeria or a big political gladiator (laughs),
I’m ĆlĆ Ć³ ĆbĆį»dĆŗn Joshua, Graduate of University of ĆbĆ dĆ n, Department of Educational Management. While on campus, I was a campus journalist who was basically inspired and passionate for dishing out credible, authentic and up-to-date information to the University community, hence I did enjoy widespread popularity among my peers simultaneously. I was popularly called “Jega” – a name which emanated from my classmates – Basically I’m someone who is sapio-sexual, I enjoy thought provoking and intellectual discussions hence the campus journalism platform gave me an opportunity to interact and mingle with both the students and management.
I’m the first born of the family of four children, born in Ibadan North LGA, Oyo State. I gained direct entry admission into University of Ibadan in 2015 after graduating as the “best graduating student” at St. Augustine College of Education (affiliated to University of Ibadan), Akoka, Lagos, bagging distinction in NCE.
How does being a graduate looks like outside there?
Well, the narratives of being a graduate entering into the labor market has not changed, Without much ado, the streets is already filled up with unemployed graduates. To get employed, there’s need to do something different from others. Even an individual who wants to embark on this sojourn must hold the bull by the horn because the sphere is gradually getting over heated.
Sadly, the terrible circumstances in which young Nigerians, especially graduates have found themselves becomes all the more pathetic when one considers their virtual inability to afford the same basic necessities of life. Concisely, the polity is mercilessly competitive and the environment extremely hostile for the average young Nigerian to start anything serious.
As a graduate of this premiere, did you have any regret? Please, share a little with us, your good memory too?
(Smiles), well the adventure which characterized my sojourn as premier graduate was indeed a combination of pleasant and unpleasant memories. It was indeed a refreshing combination of both academics and campus journalism because I shuffled the two simultaneously, I just had one regret which usually keeps me in the subconscious state but for the sake of confidentiality, I’ve decided to keep it as a secret.
Well a very good memory I experienced was winning the grand prize of 50,000 for the Ibrahim Hamid Photo contest which x-rayed environmental issues, my submissions were adjudged as best, I was quite elated.
Interestingly, everyday was indeed a beehive unprecedented activities for me – aside the academic paraphernalia, Campus journalism passionate affair, the good memories of social mingling with couple of friends was indeed a good one, I saw it as an opportunity to unwind from stress, academic tension and other strenuous tasks that I might have done. To cap it all, the good memories which were exceptional was my humble self receiving accolades from respected members of the school management and the teeming student populace.
How does popularity appear to you and did you manage your fame on campus?
Being popular comes with a price, from the positive end you get the recognition at expense of being controversial or consequential and from the negative price you’re restricted to doing some things because your personality is at stake especially when you are known for maintaining high integrity.
Upon gaining admission into the University, I didn’t have the plans to become popular or sign-up for the popularity status but by virtue of the nature of being a campus journalist, it opened the door and created a platform for me to come into limelight. So for me, I didn’t really have the notion of being a popular student, I just had the natural flair of mingling with people and extending my connections with people, you know it’s a small world and we all need each other.
I was faced with a constant conflict of thinking that I’m just a normal student like everyone but apparently I had to deal with so many handshakes in a day when I come In contact with people. Even at the faculty level, I was awarded as the “most popular finalist”.
As a popular news reporter/writer who’s always on-the-go, it is by nature that one is wonderfully adept at stalking I mean, finding sources and relevant information for various and sundry stories, so hence I was quite ubiquitous at every major event on campus. Interestingly, the advent of social media made the process of reporting all the more nuanced, and did also serve as a vital channel. So in the process of everything, I try as much as possible to always get myself together and most importantly always observing motion of events.
Most Pressmen are unable to strike balances with their academics, how did you do yours?
Well, balancing campus journalism with academics is just a function of time management – just like one of my mentors (Gbenga Oyeniran) usually tell me while I was interning at my local press organization, He said “24 hours is enough to get things done”.
So apparently as a student whose primary duty is academics, it’s necessary to keep that as a top priority, while the job as a student journalist is a secondary duty hence you need to do that smartly. For me, balancing academics with campus journalism was quite okay because I had passion for the two, most importantly the passion for journalism was quite greater because I was able to do multi-task a lot of things. my passionate aspirations and yearnings as regards changing the face of journalism especially in the university intensified and spurred my writing abilities and prowess. Invariably, I also translated my talent as a writer into my academics.
How many press organization were you a member of?
I was officially a member of two Press Organizations which were NUESA Press Organization and Voice of Managers press Organization, I also joined the umbrella body of all press organizations on campus – Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan as the 30th UCJ Members. Invariably, I also freelanced for some press organizations such as Indy Press Organization and some others.
As one of the big wigs in campus journalism today, how do you feel?
Well, it feels good but what I usually do tell my mentees in the press was that “we are all equal before the god of journalism”. Interestingly, I’m glad to have enjoyed from the wealth of experience and friendship of other bigwigs too; KĆŗnlĆ© AdĆ©bĆ jĆ², Haleem Olatunji, Femi Adesope, Kanyinsola į»lĆ³Ģ£runnisola, Iyinoluwa ĆjĆ yĆ, Arowosafe Samuel, Tobi Adegoke, Austin Elegbede, AdĆ©dĆ²kun SĆØyĆ, Martins Isaac MI Spy, Kariola Mustapha and a host of others. Weāre all different and there are as many reasons for writing as there are people. Some of us hope to win awards/recognition, others want to influence peopleās thinking, others hope to teach, to inspire, to motivate, to criticize, to change, to report, to make money, to tell a story — the list could go on forever and the individual reasons doesn’t really matter.
As a campus journalist, have you ever been told to the face that you’re a politician? How did you manage to create difference(s) if so?
Hmmm, before joining the press my popular cognomen as “Jega” got trending and by default the assumption of Uites when you’ve a popular name is that you’re a “student politician” who’s looking for votes maybe in the students’ union election. For example, I was walking with some couple of people and we exchange pleasantries, someone introduced me as “Jega” and the next thing I heard was “which post is he going for” laughs. Away from that, I’ve always seen myself as a conscious political journalist, I’ve mingled with student politicians and even politicians in the mainstream sphere. No doubt, I’ve heard people say that behind me and even some people have said it to my face that I’m a politician but I’m unperturbed because I’m just concerned with making a difference anywhere I find myself. So therefore creating a difference was just a function of me doing my regular writings about the scheme of things and also if I’m privileged to be in a gathering of the politicians, I can speak comfortably with them because I understand it’s an intellectual discourse hence there’s need for us to converse and proffer solutions to issues. every society needs truth-tellers; societies need men and women of courage and who are forthright in their thinking and in whatever advice, suggestions or recommendations they may proffer. In such a country and under circumstances of bad eggs, you cannot go to bed with both eyes closed. You cannot entrust the future of the country to their care.
Can you share a little of your relationship life on campus? Did you ever notice ladies tripping or crushing on you?
Haha, ladies tripping on me? I’m not Mr UI or the most handsome guy on campus. Well, I related with everyone very well especially the female folks. I think I had a higher percentage of female friends. The love life was indeed a complex phenomenon even though everyone had different notions.
Please, address some faux pas that students are involved in?
Well one of them is the aggressive confrontational style of students against the management especially in the face of demanding for rights, some student leaders make the mistake of embarking on radical measures upon assumption into office, I expect that as a student leader with great oratory skills of torrential eloquence who have the ability to sweep everyone along in what looks like a rushing noise and foam of a great enthusiasm, there should be room for employing diplomatic tactics in addressing issues before they degenerate into a bigger problem. Another is the malodorous form of indecent dressing among the female folks on campus, the male folks are not left out because some of them have turned their halls to republics of smokers amongst other issues. So the list is endless, like my friends usually say “there’s nothing your eyes won’t see here on campus”. (Laughs)
Now, specifically as a news reporter, what has(have) been your challenge(s), how was it easy breaking the hard nut, and what relationship have you garnered so far with it (with students and school management)?
Well, before anything, I had the passionate affair for news reporting, hence I didn’t let the challenges weigh me down, After the official induction into the press, I kept on with regular press activities, my mentor who doubled as the quondam Editor-in-chief, Mr Olugbenga Oyeniran helped me in igniting out a redefinition process of reporting news such that events in our immediate community are reported to the populace. After much tutoring, I delved into the areas of reporting U.I news story which spanned through faculties and halls of residence; this quite earned me a widespread popularity in the University community even at some point I felt like a student politician who was going for a post.
Like I’ve always said, I did enjoy the press activities, this apparently sweeps away the idea of regrets — because when you’re passionate about what you do, you find yourself looking beyond the regrets or challenges.
The relationship with the management was based on both formal and informal terms, I was able to scout for information from them even the most classified ones were at my fingertips. One of the challenges though as a news reporter was the ubiquity of the job because you’ve to be present to get first hand information even at the expense of other activities but nevertheless I was able to gain balance on the two, news reporting for me was quite easy even without my physical presence at the event, I can always deduce the news story using the 5W’s Technique – so it was the normal tactic that I threaded upon.
Did you have problem or any challenge with handing over to someone as Editor-in-chief?
Yes, I was initially in a dilemma on who I wanted to hand have over to as the Editor in chief because of the high tempo the press has sustained and over the years the leadership of the press has been predominantly headed by a male. As for me, I was surrounded by the young goddess of journalism, I knew the mantle of leadership was going to fall on a female but I didn’t know who it was going to be because it was going to be a deciding factor by other members of the press through nomination then they vote for the person of their choice.
Interestingly, I didn’t partake in the process neither did I vote, I appointed a neutral person – Olawale Adeniran who was the former Editor-in-chief of Voice of Managers press to conduct the whole process of selecting the next EIC. So he did that, and as a mere spectator who only admonished the new editorial board members I didn’t influence the decision of any of the members.
What about the new Editor-in-chief, how excellent was Fadare Christiana that earned her the title?
Without any form of sentiment or unbiased prejudice, Miss Damilola Fadare, who emerged as the next Editor-in-chief was elected by the other members of press, she was the Former Editor-in-chief of LARISSA Press Organization, staunch member of NUESA Press and participated actively in UCJ activities, she performed against all despite shortage in funds and other challenges to resuscitate LARISSA Press Organization which was even able to sit comfortably on the radar of best local press organizations on Campus. Though many perceive her as gentle looking and soft on the outlook but she’s a silent achiever whose works speaks volume anywhere she finds herself, by virtue of her antecedents she’s not new to the activities of the press, so therefore she has acumen to sail further.
What changes do you expect in the next generation of union of campus journalists?
To the next generation of UCJ members, I expect them to continue to act as a smart pen-pusher, cerebral social crusader and a writivist, Also to always take clue from the activities of the older generation of pressmen when they are in dilemma and most importantly never ever give up even in the midst or oceans of problems because there’s always a reward to show for it. Most importantly, as a Campus journalist do not set out to be anti-management, you should always constructively criticize when necessary and commend when there are reasons to – it’s simple that way.
Your departure on campus must be a great one, share how you want it to be or how it was?
I’m a friend of the campus, I can always come around whether officially or unofficially, I’ve bigger aspirations but nevertheless the campus is still home for me anytime any day especially my hall of residence – Great Independence Hall where I stayed for 3 years – baptized by the independence hall rite, bathed with the water and also drank from the water, anyway it feels good to have graduated from the Premier University because I’ve always dreamt of that. It was indeed a journey filled characterized by pleasant and unpleasant memories, gaining admission into the University was not an easy one especially going through the upheaval task of doing the clearance process and now graduating from the University too, you’ve to go through another herculean task of clearing yourself as a student – I do hope the school management looks into this.
Thanks for engaging Agropress in a long discussion. We hope too see your wedding invitation card and your first child to be a journalist.
Thank you, Agropress for having me, I’m very much delighted. I can only wish you well as you sail through the tidal waves of campus journalism.
AgropressUI 