Abdullahi Tijani, a final year student of Law at Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), during a handing-over session as the Editor-in-Chief of The News Digest Press, relived hardships and successes recorded by the outlet under his leadership.
The News Digest Press is one of the campus journalism outlets at UDUS. In a statement posted on his Facebook handle, the former editor chronicled his stewardship as the head of the outlet’s editorial crew.
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According to him, many commendable works the platform did in the school were greeted with criticisms.
“Unfortunately, it has become a custom that journalists do not often get praise for their work. The efforts of our investigation quickly waned out in the mind of the public. Many times, we received criticism for doing what was right; this is not to say we are perfect and without flaws,” Tijani wrote.
Despite unfavourable circumstances encountered, Tijani noted, the outlet was able to dare oppressors.
The former editor recalled a time when the campus was in great fear as a cult group reigned on campus, preventing students from studying at night.
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“There was a time our campus witnessed quite a number of dramas. The tension was intense. One of them was the cult of broccoli saga which almost drew out intestines from the students’ anuses. And an unknown reverberating sound that blew out in a night class, causing night readers to scamper for safety. Students literally ran and got injured for nothing. I hope you all remember these days. Those days the atmosphere kept everyone at alarm.
“But with our journalism, we restored hope in the institution that shelters us. We exposed broccoli and brought back normalcy on campus. This is the influence of the truth and the rigour of our journalism to uncover the truth. If there is any lesson the incidents taught us, it is the indispensable necessity of journalism in society. Not only that, for the list is endless,” he stated.
“My time as the Editor-in-Chief of the News Digest Press designed a media platform that now harbours the sight of a repressive force in government. In the last few months, despite all unfavourable circumstances, we have developed journalism that stings like a bee to those who find the rights of humans unworthy of respect,” Tijani wrote. “Our greatest achievement on the soil of UDUS, we are happy to serve as a pacesetter for other media platforms on what journalism truly entails.”
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Tijani, however, extolled some members who hoisted high the flag of good journalism resulting in meaningful impacts on students and the campus at large.
“To all the members who committed their cash, time and efforts, I say thank you. I have nothing to repay you but I have prayers”. He added. “To you all, may the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rain fall soft upon your feet and every time you need help, may a friend always be near,” the outgone editor noted.
Words cannot qualify our gratitude and happiness for him, for he transformed the press to a marvel and great outfit.
He’s indeed mentor of our time. I wish him a great achievement, Fortunate and progress in all his endeavors.
We seen him as Our Model.