UNN: CrispNG’s Ndidiamaka Ede shines at award night, bags ‘Campus Journalist of The Year’
Ndidiamaka Ede, the incumbent president of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UCJ-UNN) chapter, has received the meritorious award of ‘Campus Journalist of the Year’ from the Mass Communication Students Association (MACSA) of the institution.
The award, presented by MACSA President Mr. Isaac Chibuife to Ede, is in recognition of the latter’s commitment to campus journalism at UNN.
Ede, a final year mass communication student, received the gong during the MACSA Dinner/Award Night held Friday, March 29, 2024, at Padelia Suits, Nsukka.
The dinner/award night is usually held at the end of the session to ease the semester’s stress off students by providing a fanfare atmosphere for students and also presenting meritorious and honorary awards to various students who have contributed positively to the growth and development of MACSA.
Speaking with reporters in an interview, the MACSA president, Mr Isaac Chibuife said that Miss Ede deserves the award because she has immensely influenced the growth of student journalists on campus.
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In his words: “We the student body, department and UNN as whole have felt the impact of UCJ ever since Miss Ede assumed office. UCJ has taken a new dimension, like never before, we have seen an influx of new writers who are passionate about what they do. Seeing students writing is not just ordinary, it takes strong motivation from someone in her position and we are happy to see student writers emerging from the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ-UNN).
“Her impact of course spreads across the students’ body, such as seen when she served as MACSA Director of Welfare during the 2021/2022 session, we see how she cares for people around her, especially her fellow students. She also catered for students with special needs so much. So she has done wonderfully well.
“I only have one word to qualify her and that is ‘indefatigable’
So we give her this award to appreciate her for the work she has been putting in since day one and to encourage her to do more,” Mr. Chibuife stated.
Also, the Staff Adviser, MACSA, Dr. Ike Ugbor vouched for the award winner (UCJ UNN president) stating that she deserves it. He described her as hardworking and focused.
Dr. Ugbor further spoke about the relentless efforts and contributions Miss Ede has made towards the student body so far.
“For having been able to serve in the student’s body and other positions make a difference, and most importantly having been able to balance her academics, social and political affairs, she deserves the award,” said the Staff Adviser.
“Balancing of life on campus has been my emphasis and that has been my advice to every student of the department, “ he remarked.
In a separate interview Miss Ede, popularly known as ‘Impeccable’ in the department expressed her excitement for having been recognized and given a merit award.
“I am very excited about this award, and I am thankful to God for bringing me this far. It hasn’t been easy, but I have been a Campus Journalist since my 200L.
“I have written for many media platforms, starting with Prime Business Africa as a journalism mentee. Thanks to Dr. Marcel Mbamalu, the Publisher of Prime Business Africa, and Mr. Victor Ezeja, an editor at Prime Business Africa, for honing my writing skills as a journalist,” Miss Ede stated.
She continued to express her gratitude to the Mass Communication Lecturers for their immense contribution to her growth. “I will never stop appreciating my lecturers, Dr. Chidiebere Nwachukwu, Prof. Michael Ukonu, Dr. Ike Ugbor, Dr. Blessing Onuoha, Dr. Ozioma Nwokedi, Dr. Edit Ohaja, and the HOD of the Mass Communication Department, Prof. Joseph Wogu, to mention but a few. They have all greatly contributed to my growth as a Mass Communication student and as a writer.
“I am happy that this achievement is not just for me but for the fact that I can impact others,” she said.
Addressing whether she deserves the award, the final year student of the Mass Communication Department at UNN stated, “Yes, of course, I do, because if I didn’t, MACSA wouldn’t have given it to me. I think the department has recognized my efforts and they have shown it through this award.
“I am happy that it is not just about me, but the fact that I can teach others and they are willing to learn. I am referring to UCJ members; I am proud of those who are willing to learn. As you can see, someone like Kenechukwu Onah was awarded the Writer of the Year. This brings me happiness,” Miss Ede stated.
“Although I have not been doing all of this expecting an award, I do it because I love it. It is my passion to write, motivate, and guide my members to write while making them see the essence of writing. I relish the challenge each passing day,” the UCJ-UNN president stated.
Speaking about her plans after graduation, Miss Ede expressed her determination to continue working towards becoming a prominent media personality and a journalist known for reporting the truth and contributing to the development of society through her writing.
Other notable personalities who received merit awards and awards of honor at the event include Mr. Emmanuel, the UCJ-UNN vice president, who was awarded ‘The Most Outstanding Student Of The Year’. Mr. Elijah Akuma, popularly known as ‘the advocate’, received an award of honor for the ‘Most Impactful Leadership of the Year’.
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Mr. Ifeanyi Obi, the Faculty of Arts Students Association president-elect, was awarded the ‘Most Influential Student Of the Year’. Esther Sunday, former MACSA Vice-President, was recognized as the ‘Distinguished Personality of the Year’. Kenechukwu Onah, a UCJ UNN member, was awarded ‘Writer of the Year’, to mention but a few.
Ede is a student journalist with CrispNG, a youth and development-focused media organization.
By Kelechi Ogbu
