Public Voice News Agency Inducts New Members for the 2024/25 Session

The Public Voice News Agency held its 2024/2025 induction ceremony yesterday, 21st November, the ceremony opened with a prayer, followed by the school anthem, setting a calm and official tone for the afternoon. The Editor-in-Chief, Olamilekan Oluwatofunmi, welcomed the newly admitted members and congratulated them for successfully passing through the agency’s screening stages, which included both examinations and interviews. She explained that the agency serves as a training ground where members learn to ask the right questions, document events across campus, and develop the discipline required for responsible journalism.

According to her, Public Voice provides a space for young reporters to understand the value of curiosity and accuracy while learning how to tell the stories unfolding around them.

The guest speaker, Mr. Oguntade Adedoyin, Chairman of the Guild of Editors, ACJOAU, followed with an impactful session, drawing directly from the event’s theme on writing with purpose. He spoke on crafting compelling stories, stressing the importance of reaching out to third parties, verifying information, and keeping proper evidence throughout the reporting process.

He reminded the inductees that journalism demands curiosity and intentionality. “Writing may seem difficult sometimes, but all you need to do is start,” he said, encouraging them to ask deeper, more proactive questions than the average person. He took the audience through different forms of journalistic writing—investigative reports, features, news writing, opinion pieces, theses, and exclusive interviews—urging them to explore each form as they grow. He also encouraged them to write boldly while allowing their editors to refine and shape their work. “Do your part—read, improve yourself, and put in the necessary work,” he added. His session ended with a short but engaging question-and-answer segment. 

The Staff Adviser of the agency, Professor B. W. Shinyanbade, delivered his address afterwards. He congratulated the newly admitted members and urged them to uphold integrity and honesty in all their journalistic duties. He emphasized the agency’s motto—fairness and objectivity—and encouraged the inductees to look beyond the Department of Public Administration by reporting stories that reflect the wider OAU community.

After the speeches, the inductees were introduced one after the other and officially sworn in by the Editor-in-Chief marking their formal entry into the Public Voice News Agency. Following the swearing-in of the inductees, the agency introduced its executives to the new recruits. The introduction began with the Editor-in-Chief, Olamilekan Oluwatofunmi, followed by the Production Manager, Aremu Tolulope; the General Secretary, Amuchi Racheal; and the Financial Secretary, Omenihu Victoria. Members of the agency who were present at the ceremony were also acknowledged. The ceremony ended with a closing prayer led by the Financial Secretary.