“National Association of Campus Journalists is the Image of the school” —- UDUS VC

The Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Professor Bashir Garba, has hailed the National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ) as the powerful image and voice of the University.

During a meeting with NACJ on Monday, 4th August, 2025, held in his office, Prof. Bashir commended the association’s dedication to preserving the university’s reputation as a disciplined and esteemed institution.

According to Prof. Bashir, the university’s reputation rests in the hands of a campus journalist. In his words: “You are the Image makers of the university. You can either paint it white or black. If you paint it white, we will appreciate you. So far you have been doing well.”

Speaking with the News Digest Press, Shereefdeen Ahmad Sawe, the President of National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ), stated that If true stories are written, it will help the reputation of the university. 

“We will ensure we abide by all the ethics of journalism, especially as it involves fair hearing like interviewing the school management itself. No matter how the story looks, if the school gets to have their voice in that story, it makes it cleaner and also reserves their reputation as people who are always ready to lend their voice to whatever problem is going on in the university,” he explained.

When asked about how NACJ would ensure accountability in reporting happenstance in UDUS, he said the association would do so by demanding what is good for the students —reporting on the issues that have affected the university and students welfare.

He added: “The moment we are doing that, we’re holding the school management into account. Holding someone to account does not put them into reputational damage but a wake up call to them to know what they are expected to do. The fact that we call their attention to a particular problem we want them to solve or highlight what is happening, doesn't damage their reputation.”

Shereefdeen further shared that UDUS campus journalists are writing beautiful stories to ensure they uplift the name of their prestigious university. This includes reports on the successes recorded by the students, the management, and anything connected to the university.

He concluded by giving ethical advice to his fellow campus journalist. He emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of journalism —-telling the truth, being accurate, being objective, and fair in reporting. 

“Once all these thresholds are met, regardless of what the issue, you wouldn't see that the university reputation is blinking.”

The meeting had in attendance representatives from the five press boards under NACJ, alongside the Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of UDUS.