By Samuel Sunday
The International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Ado-Ekiti Study Centre, on Thursday held its 2026 matriculation ceremony, with media leaders charging newly admitted students to uphold the principles of ethics, development journalism, and professionalism amid the growing influence of untrained digital content creators.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, reflected on his own beginnings at the IIJ Centre and acknowledged former NUJ Chairman, Rotimi Ojomoyela, for personally funding the Centre’s first classrooms. He commended the Centre’s Coordinator, Pastor Dare Daniels, for establishing “an IIJ that the Ekiti NUJ is proud of today.”
Babatuyi urged the matriculants to take their academic responsibilities seriously, including the timely payment of tuition fees. He also disclosed that the Centre plans to hold its long-awaited convocation in 2027 for graduates from the past 10 sets.
Representing the IIJ Academic Board, Prince Sola Adetule reminded students that the Institute is a professional training center and not a tuition-free program. He encouraged them to build meaningful professional networks during their studies and to take ownership of the institution.
Former Ekiti NUJ Chairman, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, who noted that the NUJ founded the IIJ in 1995, advised the students to “report what they see, not emotions” and to refrain from using journalism for blackmail. He further urged those serving as political aides to ensure their principals remain open to public scrutiny and accountability.
NUJ South West Zone B Vice President, Comrade Ronke Afebioye-Samo, described the IIJ as “the backbone of the NUJ in Nigeria today.” She charged the students to embody integrity, courage, and impact, emphasizing that “the pen is powerful and must be used to build, not to destroy.”
Representing the Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, the Director of Information Services, Mr. Tope Babalola, called on the students to remain disciplined and committed to truth and professional ethics. “From among you will emerge nationally renowned journalists, broadcasters, and public affairs analysts,” he said.
Delivering the matriculation lecture titled “Development Journalism: The Responsible Pathway for Rookie Journalists in the Age of Phone Journalism,” Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre drew a clear distinction between writing and journalism.
He stated that anyone can post online, but not everyone is a journalist, and noted that a mobile phone cannot replace the structure, ethics, or verification standards of a professional newsroom.
Ojo-Lanre encouraged the students to embrace development journalism by reporting on how infrastructure, healthcare, and government policies affect citizens. “Development journalism is not propaganda, It is journalism with depth, context, conscience, and public purpose.” He said.
He concluded with a charge to the new students not come into journalism merely to trend but to build trust.
The ceremony was attended by media practitioners, government officials, and stakeholders from across Ekiti State.
