The Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJ-OAU), hosted its third annual inter-news agency oratory contest on Saturday, 25th April 2026. This contest brought together student journalists to discuss the theme, ‘The Agenda-Setting Power of the Media: How Far Does it Shape Public Perception?’ The theme was chosen to reflect the growing influence of media information on public life in an era of rapidly advancing digital platforms.
The competition featured nine news agencies, each with two representatives, alongside a two-member panel of judges. The event commenced at 10:30 a.m. The first session was the impromptu session, where a representative from each news agency spoke on a topic for three minutes. A judge cited the importance of including local details that an average audience can relate to, and not only issues happening on a global scale.
Following the impromptu session, five agencies advanced to the second round, where teams presented on the contest theme. Each team was given a total of eight minutes to speak: the main speakers were given five minutes, and the supporting speakers, three minutes. Contestants explored various dimensions of media influence, including social media’s role in shaping opinions and how repeated coverage can heighten public concern.
The performances in this round were highly engaging as the speakers had researched and were properly informed about the issues surrounding the topic. At the end of the contest, the judges commended the participants for their efforts and provided certain corrections on repetitive flaws that they noticed among the majority of the speakers.
The winners were finally announced: the overall first-place winner was the Icons Organisation with a total of 67.5% and represented by Ezekiel Ogunniyi and Adedoyin Onajobi. In second place was InFocus News Agency, ably represented by Anigilaje Kanyinsola and Amotusalam Abdusalam with a total of 65.6%. NAPPS OAU Press Team, represented by Ololude Omowunmi Winniefred and Bello Quam Olabode, with a total of 64.3%, was awarded the third-place prize.
In fourth place, with 61.25%, was NASELS Communication Bureau, represented by Adebiyi Temiloluwa and Adegbemile Ifeoluwa. OAU Kilonshele, with 59.1% and represented by Lambe Ifeoluwa and Orisatoye Aminat, came in fifth place.
The event came to a close at 1:30 p.m as each participant was awarded a certificate of participation and the winners were presented with their awards.
The event concluded at 1:30 p.m., with all participants receiving certificates of participation while the top-performing team was honoured with a cash prize of #10,000.