By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), on Friday emerged champions of the maiden edition of the Kingmakers Inter-Campus Athletics Championship.

The two-day championship held from Thursday, 12th to Friday, 13th February 2026 at  Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, saw ESUT clinch the coveted trophy after dominant performance.

ESUT topped the medals table with 25 medals comprising 9 gold, 9 silver, and 7 bronze medals, narrowly beating University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which finished second with 9 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze medals.

University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus came third with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze medals, while Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, placed fourth with 3 gold and 3 bronze medals.

OSISATECH Polytechnic finished fifth with 2 silver medals, while Renaissance University secured sixth position with 2 silver medals.

State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) placed seventh with 2 silver medals, and Coal City University came eighth with 1 silver medal.

Federal Co-operative College finished ninth on the medals table with 1 bronze medal.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Lloyd Ekweremadu, expressed excitement over the highly competitive and entertaining display of talents. He commended the students for their passion, discipline, and resilience throughout the championship and reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to nurturing discovered talents to attain national prominence.

He also appreciated Kingmakers, sponsors of the championship, for partnering with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The Director of Sports, ESUT, Professor Rita Ani, who led the victorious team, commended the Ministry for organizing the competition and praised the athletes for making the university proud and praise the Vice-Chancellor for support

“Let me first, thank my athletes for making ESUT proud. You displayed the ruggedness expected to overcome your opponents and the university is proud of you. I also thank the organisers for putting up this competition which has immense benefits.

“And to my indefatigable and supportive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, this victory is a testament of your unwavering support to sports development in ESUT and welfare of our athletes,” she said.

Former Director of Coaching, Mr. Ephraim Ochomma, described the championship as a veritable platform for talent discovery. He expressed delight at the State Government and Ministry’s efforts in providing students with the opportunity to showcase their sporting abilities.

One of the gold medallists, Miss Joy Iyioke of ESUT, who won gold in javelin and silver in discus, expressed happiness at winning two medals and commended the hitch-free organization of the championship.

The maiden Enugu State Inter-Campus Athletics Championship was organised to discover athletes to represent the state at the 2026 National Sports Festival which the state is due to host later in the year.

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 Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT dominated the medals table at the end of Day 1 of the Enugu State Inter-Campus Tertiary Institutions Athletics Championship. The Science and Technology team won 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal to wrap up the day.

Athletes such as Augustine Ifeturu won 100 meters boys event finishing the sprint in 11.11 secs while Chinyere Ede also won  gold medal in 1500 metres female category. Joy Iyioke, also of ESUT won gold in shotput female category, Benita Okwudiba, also won gold medal in long jump girls as well as, silver in 100 metres girls .                    

Institute of Management and Technology IMT, were placed second with  2 gold medals  from  Moses Chiagozie, in shotput male , while Christopher Achebe, in 1500 metres boys,  also Nnaji Precious of lMT won 1 silver medal.           

 University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, UNEC are placed 3rd with 1 gold medal, from Precious Chukwuemeka  won silver in 1500 metres female   and  bronze medal from Nneoma Ub ochi.                          

State University of  Medical and Applied Sciences, (SUMAS), Igbo-Ano are also placed joint 3rd  with UNEC, with 1 gold medal won in long Jump boys, as well as, 1 silver medal from  Nnaji Precious in long jump boys, while Nelson Ishiwu came 3rd and won bronze medal.          

University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN are in distant 4th position with 3 silver and 3 bronze medals. OSiSATECH won  2 silver medals while Federal Co- operative College, Oji River have 1 bronze medal.  Coal City University and Peaceland College of Education are yet to win medals.                    

Speaking at the event, Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon Lloyd Ekweremmadu described the  Inter-Campus Athletics Championship as historic event  as the state, has never organized any of such previously adding that the championship was  envisioned to harness athletics talents in tertiary institutions in the state.               

He reiterated that Governor Peter Mbah was committed to developing sports noting that athletes discovered from the championship will be nurtured to compete for Enugu State in the forthcoming National Sports Festival, “Coal City Games” coming up in Enugu in November, 2026.                  

He commended King Makers for sponsoring the Inter-Campus Athletics Championship, the institutions, the Ministry  for organizing the event and  the students for their participation  

The 2 day Championship which held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, ended on Friday 13th February.

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By Amaechi Agbo

As part of efforts to enhance its manpower development and promote quality assurance in aircraft servicing, Maintenance and repair, the Eastwing Aviation Institute Enugu has concluded a 30-day training programme at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

The training programme which held at the Faculty of Engineering Laboratory, ESUT commenced on July 8 and ended on Friday, August 1 with 12 staff of the being put through the practical aspect of aircraft maintenance, servicing and repair under the guidance of ESUT Lecturer, Engr Obeta Christian Nwachukwu.

Speaking in an interview, the Secretary of Eastwing Aviation Enugu, Michael Onuminya who led the team to the university, told ESUT Monitor that the training was to enhance the output of the trainees with a view to make them professionals and world engineers in aircraft maintenance and repair.

“Our objective is to give the staff the needed and required training in aircraft repair and maintenance. As aircraft engineers, we embark on routine training to equip them better. We have been at ESUT since July and we are concluding today being Friday.

“We have understanding with the management of the university to use their facilities or laboratories in scaling up our staff training and that is why we are here. At Eastwing Aviation, professionalism and quality assurance are our key principles and that is why we are embarking on regular training to equip our engineers with the prerequisites they need to be better,” she said.

On his part, the Chief Technologist, Engr Obeta Nwachukwu of the Department of Electrical/Electronics, ESUT, said that the training which started on 8^th of July was part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed previously by the ESUT Management and the Eastwing Aviation. 

“The essence of the training is that they need our knowledge and facilities to facilitate their training of engineers.  There is a collaborative understanding between Eastwing and ESUT on knowledge sharing and use of facilities. When we start running our Aeronautical Engineering, we will also send our students to them for training. They have been here, twelve of them, for intense training and we rounded off on Friday,” Engr Obeta said.

It could be recalled that the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) in November 2023 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eastwing Aviation Institute, Enugu to offer National Diploma and Higher National Diploma certificates in Aircraft Engineering Technology. This collaboration aims to empower youths in the South East by providing opportunities in the aviation sector.

Eastwing Aviation is a Nigerian indigenous registered aviation training centre that specialises in training and retraining of aviation personnel to both national and international standards. The centre was founded and registered with the Nigerian corporate affairs commission in 2012.

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The Date for the 21^st Convocation Ceremony of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has been revealed.

ESUT Monitor can authoritatively report that the 2025 Convocation Ceremony will hold on Saturday, November 22^nd, 2025.

ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius- Michaels Okolie on Tuesday whileplaying host to the member of ESUT Lagos Alumni Association.

Although Professor Okolie didn’t provide much details, he however stated the invitation letter have been sent out.

“This morning, we dispatched a letter to the Aumni President, through the Treasurer, where we reminded them that our convocation has been scheduled to hold on 22^nd of November, so that you people will be part of what we are doing. Similar letter will be sent to the ESUT Business School this week” the VC said

ESUT Monitor gathered that an expanded management meeting involving the principal officers, Deans and Directors was conveyed on Thursday at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room where the date for the Convocation Ceremony was decided.

Since assuming office on 13 April 2022, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie made it a cardinal duty to hold the University’s Convocation yearly.

Few months after he assumed responsibilities, he held the 18^th Convocation Ceremony which was consolidated, covering 2016 to 2022 on 22^nd November of the year.

The 19^th Convocation Ceremony was held on November 18^th November, 2023 while the 20^th was held on November 22^nd, last year.

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Prof. Ikenna Ndu, a renowned Pediatrician, has pledged to partner with ESUT Monitor Newspaper to sensitize the public and advocate for children’s rights and welfare.

In an exclusive interview, Prof. Ndu stated that his commitment to giving back to society stems from his Igbo philosophy of selfless service in promoting common good. 

Having reached the pinnacle of his academic career, Prof. Ndu expressed his desire to focus on advocating for children’s rights, leveraging media platforms like ESUT Monitor Newspaper to influence thousands. He emphasized that his 47th Inaugural Lecture themed “From Cradle to Crisis, advancing Paediatric survival in Challenged Health Care Landscape,” was aimed to convey a simple yet crucial message that children deserve better care.

Prof. Ndu urged parents to promptly seek medical attention for their children, stressing that many child fatalities are preventable and treatable if addressed early. Through this partnership, he aims to save thousands of lives by disseminating vital health information to a wider audience.

“There’s a Latin phrase. Deo ante dedi” , meaning God has given me. So I will give. I am already a professor of pediatrics, I have reached the zenith of my academic career. There’s no other promotion or recognition that can be given by my tears.

What I do is to give back to the system, give back to the country that has made me what I am today. That is why the rest of my life, I will focus on advocating for the child and the need to protect its rights and ensure the welfre.

If I see one child in a clinic and treat the child, that is one child, but if I carry out programs on a public scale like :ESUT Monitor Newspaper who I have pledge and sort for collaboration and other media channels that will be used to influence thousands of people, I will be happy

If I can use this medium to influence and teach doctors automatically, I have saved thousands and thousands of children as against taking care of one sitting down in a clinic.

On his part, the Head of Department of Mass Communication, Dr Chidiebere Ezinwa commended the erudite scholar for engaging with ESUT Monitor to promote child rights and welfare in the country and expressed the commitment of the paper to work collaboratively in carrying out campaign to that effect.

“Prof Ndu is no doubt a lover of the child. This is beyond his profession and when he approached the department to partner with our newspaper, we were glad because any message we push out their will not just create awareness but help to save lives. While the advocacy on child rights and welfare is critical at this point is that they are the most vulnerable and dependent in our society.

“When you give birth to a child, you are bound to take decisions for him/her until the child becomes of age. Therefore we are happy to identify with Professor Ndu in this regard and we will work collaboratively to ensure that his advocacy reached every nook and crannies of the society” he said.

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Ahead of Thursday, June 5th World Environment Day, Mr Michael Odenigbo, spoke EXCLUSIVELY to ESUT Monitor on why he is attempting to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) on the most number of trees planted by an individual within 24 hours.

The record for the most trees planted by an individual in 24 hours is 23,060, achieved by Antoine Moses of Canada in La Crete, Alberta, on July 17, 2021. This record was achieved in 14 hours and 51 minutes of straight planting.

However, Mr Odenigbo is aiming to suppass the record by planting 27, 000 moringa trees in 24 hours. The tree planting, expected to cover four hectares of land will take place at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) on June 5.

Excerpt:

My name is Michael Odenigbo, a Nigerian climate advocate from Enugu State.

Why are you attempting the Guinness World Record on tree Planting?

Right from childhood, I always have passion for planting of trees and nature in general. I’ve been into climate advocacy for some time now. However, currently, I want to take my climate advocacy to an international level.

So I want climate change to be a topic among young people, because it’s not every young person in Nigeria that has interest in going for conferences, or relating with climate change.
Butt we can make climate change a training topic among young people.

I decided to go for this record breaking attempt, where I intend to plant 27,000 trees to set a new world record on most trees planted by an individual in 24 hours which will be taking place from 5th to 6th of June. 5th is world environment day. It is clearly out of passion, for nature and environmental conservation.

How would you sustain your energy doing the 24 hours period of the planting?

I’m human being but again some of us are very strong and fit and we have been practicing for the challenges ahead. Therefore, apart from being fit, I am preparing personally for the physical challenges that will be in place that day. It will not be much of a problem.

What kind of physical challenge do you envisage?

Tree planting is a physical exercise, it demands a lot of strength, constant training and practicing makes it easier.

How will you ensure that the trees you plant are being sustained?

That is a very important question, because sustainability is very essential, without it, the trees, everything about this record will be a waste.
But there is a sustainability plan which I am working with the school, and in the plan I will be partnering with ESUT to be able to take care of the seedlings from the tender until they grow up and become very developed. There is a sustainability plan for that.

What message do you hope to convey through this record?

The major message I want to convey, using this particular record attempts, is about climate change. Young people should understand that climate change is a big problem that affects everybody.

Some people think that climate change only exist on papers and all that, but it affects our daily lives, both in agriculture, the price of goods in the market, and so many other instances.

The climate change is not just a climate problem, it’s not just an environmental problem it is a health problem. It is also an economic problem. Health problem in the sense that the environment you live in, there are so much carbons that are emitted and we need trees to be able control them

In the aspect of economy, it affects adequate agriculture, for instance,, farmers are complain there is no adequate rainfall, it’s one of the problems caused by climate change, including heats and other problems that come.

So the the awareness that I’m trying to create is, I want young people through this Guinness World Record, because Nigerians love Guinness World Record very well, so through that, climate change will become a topic among among them and by so doing we can enhance climate illiteracy in Nigeria and the world at large.

What system do you have in place for your teams?

In terms of financial support system, first of all, I have a support system via the state government because they facilitated the approval of 4 hecters of land by Enugu State University of Science and Technology, which the document has been issued to me as well.

In terms of thenurseries that we are doing here, I will also say that I have not really gotten a systemized support from any institution. It is just based on my own personal fund and friends, and wellwishers that have been supporting in their little ways, which I appreciate so much.

And I’m also looking forward to getting support from various institutions, not just about encouraging us, but also bringing out financial support.

Even if you don’t have financial support, there are some logistics that we will be needing that day and you can come to us and we will let you know the logistics that we need.

Another support is that I have some volunteers who have been, helping me in terms of the process of this nursery. We have been doing this thing for like a month now. So it has not been easy, and I really appreciate them.

But on that day, which is this Thursday, we are appealing for more supporters, more volunteers on ground, because it’s not something that we are going to do alone. Although it is an individual attempt, I will be needing teams that will be supplying the seedlings and this continuous supply is going to be consistent for 24 Hours, and it’s not something that few persons can do, we need as much as people possible, especially students here in ESUT.

Students should try and encourage us by volunteering. This particular record attempt is unique, and not just like others

It’s not about clouds. It’s about environmental protection and climate change is one of the SDG’s that is prioritized by so many governments across the globe. This, students should show concern and volunteer for this.

And there are so many things that student can benefit from volunteering for projects such as this, in a way that is a community development service aside that, it is also an environmental project.

It means that if you partake in it, and we succeed, is going to boost your CV in a lot of ways, in the sense that you will be acknowledged as one of the people that participated in a global project such as this and anywhere you go, you can always identify yourself with these projects, and there are so many doors that it can open for you.

Aside from that, these are project that everybody supposed to show interest in.

How do you document and verify the tree planting?

I’m not the one that will verify it but I’m the one that would document it.

The verification is left for Guinness World Record. Just like I made a post in one of my videos on my social media handle, many people have been going, you know, attempting Guinness without approval.

But in this one, we have approval from Guinness and in my dashboard on Guinness website, there is already a column for uploading of evidence or asking of question or anything that is specially designed for people they have already approved for the attempts.

So once we are done with the attempts, we would simply upload them and all the document that are necessary.

We upload them to Guinness World Record site and wait for their review.

Once they are done with the review, an Email will be sent to us on the outcome of the review.

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The Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has urged students of the university to make judicious use of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELfund) provided by the Federal Government.

The VC gave the charge on Friday in Enugu during the South East sensitization visit by the NELFund to three tertiary institutions in Enugu – Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT).

The sensitization workshop held at the Moot Court Auditorium of UNN, Enugu Campus, had ESUT VC, UNN VC as well as IMT Rector in attendance. Other high profile individuals at the workshop include the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for South East, Barr Chioma Nweze; the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NELfund, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, among others.

Delivering his speech, ESUT Vice-Chancellor commended the Federal Government for initiating the student loan fund adding that the the management of ESUT has put machineries in place to ensure seamless application by the students.

While charging the students to leverage on the opportunity, he noted that ESUT management
Has employed the services of computer experts to help the students in their applications.

“I want to commend the management of NELfund for this sensitisation in South East tertiary institutions. It is here that misconceptions will be corrected and students guided appropriately on how to apply for the loan.

“At ESUT, we encourage students to apply for the loan because this is their money. We have deployed the services computer experts to guide them in their application. I have no doubt, whatsoever, that this programme by the government will aid education at this level in the country,” he said.

Addressing the students from the three institutions, Barr Chioma Nweze urged them to make best use of the opportunity to actualise their educational dream. She explained that the application for the loan, which is interest free, is session based, that student can apply for each session.

She stressed that repayment of the loan takes effect two years after the beneficiaries have concluded their national youth service.

She explained criteria required for the application. “Students can apply using their JAMB registration number, matriculation number, BVN, NIN, no surety is needed. Outside the school fees, NELfund also gives ₦20,000 to ₦40,000 stipends for students’ upkeep. NELfund operates through any bank of the students’ choice,” she said.

Highlights of the sensitization workshop was disbursement of ₦5000 each to the first 100 students to arrive at the venue of the meeting. Barr Nweze who made the pledge prior to the commencement of programme, gave the students the money adding that the gesture was to encourage them for seeing the need to attend the programme.

ESUT Monitor can authoritatively report that NELfund has disbursed students loans to 59 institutions including five from the South East region.

Institutions from the South-East that have already benefited from the loan include: Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State; Ebonyi State University; Abia State University; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Anambra State, sharing ₦467 million among them.

According to a list obtained from the NELFUND, Alex Ekueme Federal University Ndufu, Ebonyi State, got N193,377,100; Michael Okpara University, got N71,016,220; Abia State University, had N12,469,5003; Federal Polytechnic, Nkede, Imo State, got N368,400; and Ebonyi State University students got N78,313,000.

A total of ₦50 billion was budgeted for the NELFund in the 2024 with a total of ₦2.1 billion already disbursed

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Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Right Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah will arrive the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 to deliver a memorial lecture.

The fiery priest and human rights activist will be the Guest Lecturer during the Memorial Lecture Series in honour of Late Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze.

The lecture will be chaired by Hon. Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The Visitor to the University and Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah will be the special guest if the lecture which will hold at Amadeo Event Center, Enugu by 11.00am whereas the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, the Chief Host, will deliver the welcome speech.

“I am directed to inform the University Community that the Memorial Lecture Series in honour of Late Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze has been scheduled to hold on 25th day of September, 2024 at Amadeo Event Center, Enugu by 11.00am.

“The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Mathew Hassan Kukah would be the Guest Lecturer while Hon. Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court would Chair the event.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, who is also the Visitor to our University would be the Special Guest of Honour, while ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie would be the Chief Host. The Vice-Chancellor as the Chief Host is already programmed to deliver the Welcome Remarks at the event,” a statement signed by the university registrar, Chief Ambrose Ugwu and made available to ESUT Monitor, says.

The Memorial Lecture is organised by the Faculty of Law, ESUT in memory of late legal luminary, Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze.

Late Justice Nweze who hails from Enugu State, was a Supreme Court Justice until his death on July 30, 2023 aged 64.

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In a bid to enthrone ethical values and ensure probity among staff at all levels, the management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, have sacked six staff for criminal offenses relating to their offices.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie who announced this in a press conference on Wednesday said that another staff who has been on suspension for disseminating false information was recalled but with forfeiture of her half salary.

Prof Okolie said the the dismissal of the affected six staff were taken by the University Council to demonstrate its avowed stand on zero tolerance for corruption, dereliction of duty and fraudulent practices among employees.

The dismissed staff are Izuchukwu Ifeanyi Eze of Educational Foundation unit; Dr Ezekiel Nnadi of Quantity Surveying Department; and Dr Ani Celestine Okafor of Human Physiology department.

Others are: Dr Chidiebere Emmanuel Eze, Industrial Chemistry; Fanny Ngọzi Onyia of Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies as well as Mr Chiuzor Isaac Okoh of Bursary unity.

Augustina Ifebuche Ugwu of Applied Microbiology and Brewing was issued a letter of warning and recalled to her duty but will forfeit her half salary during her period of suspension. She was also warned that further 9ffence would lead to her dismissal

The Vice-Chancellor provided details on why they were sacked.

“Izuchukwu Ifeanyi Eze was sacked for certificate forgery; Dr Ezekiel Nnadi was dismissed from service over academic fraud including manipulation of results, extortion, sexual harassment and other grave misconducts.

“Dr Ani Celestine Okafor was sacked because he is keeping two full-time jobs. He works in SUMAS and ESUT while a similar crime was also perpetrated by Dr Chidiebere Emmanuel Eze.

“Fanny Ngozi Onyia was involved in the preparation of fake transcript and was dismissed. She is to refund one hundred and seven thousand naira (₦107, 000.00) to Chinyere Faustina Onyechi who she defrauded while Mr Chibuzor Isaac Okoh’s employment with ESUT was terminated after he misappropriated the Sum of ninety-eight million, two hundred and fifty nine thousand, three hundred and fourteen naira sixty Kobo (₦98, 259, 314.65,.

“Augustina Ifebuche Ugwu was recalled after serving suspension with a warning letter for conveying false information to an ex student (Agadi Lucky Ejime) that he had Second Class Honours (Upper Division) instead of Second Class Honours (Lower Division). She will forfeit her half salary,” the VC said.

The Vice-Chancellor added that the university management will prosecute the affected staff and they will be made to refund every money they acquired illegal as a result of their fraudulent practices.

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Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiatives, IMCAI, organized a one-day mentoring workshop for mass communication students at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.

The one-day workshop, themed “Building a Satisfying Career in Journalism,” took place on July 5, 2024, and featured sessions led by experienced journalists, Mrs. Chiamaka Okafor and Mr. Chinagorom Ugwu of Premium Times Newspaper

The workshop began with participants registering for the event, led by Ikengaonline’s Editor-in-Chief, Uche Ugboajah’s opening speech. The head of Department of Mass Communication delivered a welcome address and urged the students to make use of the workshop to increase their learning.

The Editor-in-Chief, Uche Ugboajah gave opening remarks, and a group photograph was taken, featuring all participants, including lecturers and Ikenga officials.

Mrs. Chiamaka Okafor, a journalist and Executive Director of Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue Foundation, who led the first session on “Journalism at a Glance”, defined  journalism as a profession and social responsibility.

She dismissed the idea that ‘journalism doesn’t pay the bills,’ declaring that the profession offers diverse opportunities for supplementary income. She quipped, “The sky is wide enough for us to do other things for a source of income….” She emphasized that a good journalistic piece should possess certain qualities, which she elaborated on, providing insight into the characteristics of a good news story.

 The session became more interactive as students were grouped to write news articles, with Group Three emerging as the winner. She presented the group leader with a N2000 reward, acknowledging their efforts. Then, she took the time to provide constructive feedback, pointing out areas for improvement in their news articles. Through her guidance, she enlightened and encouraged the students, helping them grow in their journalistic skills.

Mr. Chinagorom Ugwu, a journalist with Premium Times, shared his journalism experience, highlighting ethical issues and encouraging students to establish a campus journalists’ union.

He began by introducing the concept of a campus journalists’ union, which he experienced first-hand at his alma mater, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, UNIZIK. He encouraged the department to establish a similar union, complementing their existing ESUT Monitor Newspaper.

Sharing his personal journey, he recounted how his passion for journalism began even before university, earning him recognition from lecturers and peers for staying on top of trending issues. He shared stories of his determination, from contacting Vanguard newspaper to landing a post-graduation internship, which left a lasting impression on professionals in the field emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations when writing news stories.

Students shared their takeaways from the workshop and Ikenga presented certificates and cash awards to participants.

Additionally, the Head of Department presented a copy of the ESUT Monitor to the Editor-in-Chief of Ikengaonline, Uche Ugboajah, as a token of appreciation for their collaboration and support in organizing the workshop.

 In an interview with ESUT Monitor, Mrs. Chiamaka Okafor revealed that the workshop was also held at UNIZIK as part of its focus on South Eastern universities. She expressed her desire to return and see the progress of the students. When asked about the perception of journalism as a low-paying profession, she emphasized that “quality journalism speaks for itself.” On coping with insecurity, she quoted her mentor, “No story is worth your life,” highlighting the importance of security training and analysis for journalists. She shared her passion for storytelling and her desire to continue writing news stories.

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