Campus News

Ogunyale tasks aspiring journalists on skills for professional competence

By Bashirat Omotosho

A seasoned journalist, Mr Kehinde Ogunyale, has urged students of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, to develop analytical skills, which would empower them with the capacity to uncover facts, tell compelling stories, and hold those in power accountable.

Mr Ogunyale gave this advice last Tuesday (June 3, 2025) while speaking at a seminar on “Data Journalism for Accountability and transparency. The event was organised by the Department of Mass Communication to  expose students to the relevance of data journalism in modern media practice.

The veteran journalist, who works at the Dataphyte Foundation, explained that data journalism involves the ability to examine, analyse, and visualise data critically in order to extract hidden facts and patterns needed for an impactful reporting.

Mr Ogunyale also emphasised that in an era where misinformation is rampant, journalists must adopt data-driven approaches to ensure credibility and accuracy. “Data is not just numbers. It’s evidence. When properly analysed and visualised, it becomes a powerful storytelling tool,” he said.

Responding to a question, Mr Ogunyale encouraged aspiring journalists to explore digital tools and open data sources to enhance their storytelling capabilities.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Head of the Department, Dr Patrick Udende, described the seminar as timely, noting that “data literacy is now a crucial skill for every journalist who desires to influence policies and demand accountability in today’s media landscape.’’

According to him “The future of journalism lies in the ability to combine storytelling with analytical skills. We must begin to see data as a powerful tool for social change.”

A cross-section of students, who spoke with UNILORIN Bulletin on the sideline of the seminar, described the programme as insightful and inspiring.

In attendance at the programme were the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Lukman Adesina Azeez; and former Head of the Department, Prof. Mustapha Kayode Lambe,among others .