A Law student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Chibuzor Victor Obiorah has won the sixth edition of the ‘Fisayo Soyombo Inter-University Essay Competition organized by the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) at the University of Ibadan.
Chibuzor Victor Obiorah, a Law student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has won the sixth edition of the Fisayo Soyombo Inter-University Essay Competition organized by the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) at the University of Ibadan.
Obiorah emerged victorious from a pool of 336 entries submitted by university students across Nigeria. The entries were initially screened by Damilola Ayeni, Editor of FIJ, and the top 23 essays were then evaluated by 2023-24 Knight Wallace fellows, US journalist Joshua Sharpe, and Ukrainian journalist Luliia Mendel.
Olanshile Ogunrinu and Oyibokure Smith, both students from the University of Ibadan, were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Onwe Chukwuebuka from UNN was also named a joint second runner-up.
The first prize winner received a cash award of N250,000, the second prize was N150,000, and the third prize was N100,000. All three winners were also offered internships at FIJ.
Upon receiving his award, Obiorah stated, “The ‘Fisayo Soyombo essay competition has always been one of my goals. I enjoy participating in prestigious essay contests, and knowing the high number of entries this competition attracts each year motivated me to take part. The topic addressed a longstanding issue in the country, giving me a platform to express my thoughts. When I was announced as the winner, it felt like winning a Ballon d’Or; it was a moment of joy and validation for my hard work. I thank Fisayo Soyombo for organizing this competition and encourage other undergraduates to seize such opportunities.”
The competition is endowed by Soyombo, a former UCJ UI president and the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). The contest was first launched in 2007 by the UCJ executive council under Soyombo’s leadership. However, it was held only once in the following seven years, prompting Soyombo to revive it in 2015.
In 2015, Omoya Simult, then a 100-level student in UI’s Department of Medicine and Surgery, won the inaugural revived edition. The second edition in 2016 was won by Kunle Adebajo, then a 400-level student in UI’s Faculty of Law. Kanyinsola Olorunnisola, then a final-year student in UI’s Department of Philosophy, won the third edition.
The most recent edition in 2023 was won by Timileyin Akinmoyeje, another UI student, who is now completing his national youth service at FIJ following his essay contest victory.
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