Sodipo Quadri
The Press Club of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, PCM, marked its 33rd anniversary in grand style on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at New Hall Two of the Mass Communication Building, unveiling a new edition of its Fact Magazine and announcing the acquisition of an official Secretariat.
The event, themed “Finding Your Voice Beyond the Campus Press”, was graced by distinguished alumni, journalists, lecturers, and student leaders, reflecting the enduring legacy of a club that has nurtured generations of writers and communicators.
Welcoming guests to the ceremony, PCM President, Lateef Gbadamosi thanked the institution’s leadership, alumni, and students for standing by the club. He described the anniversary as “a moment to celebrate history, reflect on our struggles, and project into the future.”
Delivering the keynote lecture, journalist and guest speaker, Damilola Olufemi, urged students to see campus press work as more than just a pastime.
Olufemi encouraged budding writers to sharpen their skills in accuracy, fairness, and storytelling, qualities that define impactful journalism beyond the walls of MAPOLY.
Adding his voice, Dr. Wasiu Tejuoso, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, stressed the importance of accuracy in reporting. “If you are not accurate as a student journalist, you will not be accurate when you begin to earn. Accuracy is not a skill you pick on the job; it’s a culture you build from here,” Dr Tejuoso said.
The ceremony also provided a nostalgic moment when Otunba Dare Odufowokan, Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Public Communications and a proud alumnus, shared memories of his days in PCM.
Odufowokan recalled how members once faced arrest, not for malpractice, but for defending students’ rights. “One of the best decisions I ever made on this campus was joining this Press Club. It shaped my voice, my confidence, and my career,” he noted, applauding Mr. Charles Adegbite for laying a foundation that has produced journalists across the country.
The interactive session proved lively, with students asking questions on the future of journalism, inclusivity of non-Mass Communication students, and career pathways.
A student, Malaolu Oyindamola, from the Accountancy Department asked if she could pursue journalism without studying Mass Communication.
Responding, Dr. Tejuoso clarified that while crossovers were common in the past, formal training in Mass Communication was now essential.
Speaking on the invention of the magazine, Mr Adegbite, Co-Founder of PCM stressed that the Idea of establishing The Fact Magazine in the style of The News Magazine is to create an authoritative publication that would be the foremost magazine in the institution and be highly regarded as an inter campus magazine, adding that it also provided a training platform for students from various departments who couldn’t get published in departmental titles.
According to him, the first edition was produced in 1995 which was launched in early 1996 inside Iwe-iroyin Hall, with Prof. Lai Oso (Mass communication HOD then) as Guest speaker at the event.
He also stated that the magazine will clock 30 years by December 2025.
The event was not just about speeches and lectures. It was also a celebration of excellence within the Club. Awards were presented to outstanding members, including “Most Resourceful Member,” “Poet of the Year,” “Rookie Reporter,” “Creative Writer,” “Campus Journalist,” and “Press Personality.”
Winners of the anniversary essay competition were also honored, with Firdaus Obiremi, a National Diploma 1 student of Mass Communication, clinching the top prize.
The School Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajibola, MAPOLY Radio Station manager, Deacon Oduwusi, and The PUNCH reporter, Idowu Johnson, Efosa Taiwo, PCM 2021 Editor, Hameed Shuayb, PCM 2020 President, Adenrele Michael, PCM 2024 President were also in attendance.