I Screamed and Cried, I Didn't Even Realize When the Tears Started Flowing – Amina Ismaila Reflects on Winning Reporter Award

By Azeez Sulaiman

Fresh off winning the prestigious Ishaq Bilal Reporter’s Award, the editor-in-chief of Nasss Newsletter, Azeez Sulaiman spoke with Amina Ismaila about her remarkable journey in journalism. She shared how her proactive involvement in the Ahmadu Bello University Campus Press (ACP) fueled her passion. Amina credited her success to her matchless determination, the support of mentors like Bilal, and her relentless drive to make a difference within ACP.

Similarly, the young talent reflected on the challenges of balancing academics with her journalistic pursuits, the technical hurdles of content production, and the difficulty of securing interviews. Despite these obstacles, her commitment to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience solidified her love for journalism. Her advice for aspiring Mass Communication students is simple: stay curious, be passionate, and actively engage in opportunities that align with your goals.

Editor-in-chief: Can you tell us about yourself and how you started as a reporter in ACP? Was there a particular story or experience that marked your turning point?

Amina Ismaila: I am Amina Ismaila, a three hundred level Mass Communication Student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

On how I started as a reporter, I was initially a member of ACP. I used to attend all the workshops that the club organized. I was very enthusiastic about the press club and was keen to support it. I was a proactive member from the beginning because the club really taught me what journalism is all about.

I remember when the club leaders came to my class asking who they thought could take on certain positions. I later received an appointment via email. I was very excited and happy because it was really a great experience for me. I was excited but also apprehensive at first because I had moved up from a member to a marketing officer. So I called Bilal, who is now the former president of the club. Bilal was also my tutor at the time and something of a godfather to me in academic matters. I called him because I knew he had a hand in the appointment, and I told him that I didn’t think I would be able to do it. He rebuffed that notion and encouraged me. That encouragement motivated and inspired me to continue channeling my efforts, and that is one experience that acted as a turning point for me.

Editor-in-chief: How did you feel when you were announced as the awardee of the 'Ishaq Bilal Reporter's Award?

Amina Ismaila: I was ecstatic, surprised, humble, and happy. I think it was just before New Year's, around 11 o’clock, when everyone was counting down to the new year. At 11, I still had no idea that I could win that award.

Although I had already got the Vice President position and was grateful for it. I had gotten a hint during the interview and review process that my hard work and dedication might be considered. I felt appreciated, and that felt good. So, that night, I was calling my friends to tell them about my milestones and how well I had done in my field. The next thing I saw was people saying "congratulations" to me in my DM while I was making a WhatsApp call. I said to my friends, “I’m coming, let me check my WhatsApp.” When I went into the group, I saw my name and picture. I screamed. I was crying.

I don’t even know when the tears started flowing because I had forgotten about the Ishaq Bilal Reporter Award! This award is the best gift I have ever received.

Editor-in-chief: What do you think were the key factors that contributed to your recognition for this award?

Amina Ismaila: Contribution? I was very present, and intentional. In fact, I carried ACP on my head. I came with the mindset that I was going to make change happen. I wanted to make a difference.  I looked at where I thought ACP was at the time and asked myself, "How can I take this organization from my small position as a marketing officer to the next level?" I didn’t want to just sit on the sidelines and be passive, because I really liked what ACP stood for. I really wanted to make a difference.

I also wasn’t afraid to approach my bosses and tell them my ideas. I told them, "Oh, I think we should do this," and honestly, another contributing factor was that they listened to me. They never made me feel like my ideas were stupid, too much or unnecessary. It was always a "Yeah, okay, do it." And I was like, "Oh my God." Their confidence in me made me feel like I had to do it.

When I complained or shared observations, they always listened to me. when I did well, I got my flowers. All of this encouragement contributed. I also have to give credit to my wonderful colleagues on the content creation team at ACP.

Even when we had a very hectic academic session, they were there, contributing to the magic. Honestly, it wasn’t just me. Everyone contributed. Having a very supportive community or family at ACP played a big part.

Editor-in-chief: What challenges have you faced as a student reporter, and how have you managed to overcome them?

Amina Ismaila: Honestly, I don’t think I’ve completely overcome any of the challenges, but I’ll start with the first one. The most important issue that comes to mind is balancing being a student reporter with being a Mass Communication student. It’s tough. You can’t just sit back and read because you have to be active. You need to shoot, write, and create content. Balancing both was a huge challenge for me. I also struggled with smooth transitions from pre-production to production or post-production for most of our content. Technical issues came up here and there, and I had to learn on the job as I went along.

Another challenge was finding people to interview for stories. We often needed to interview students in the ABU community to get their opinions on certain topics. Many people were camera-shy or lacked the confidence to speak, which made it tricky to get the content we needed. These were small but recurring issues that we had to deal with as a team.

Editor-in-chief: Has your involvement in journalism had any impact on your academic pursuits, positively or otherwise?

Amina Ismaila: Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve really struggled to balance my activities at ACP with being a student. I lacked proper coordination, and I feel like this imbalance may have affected my academic performance slightly. I’m not entirely sure, but it’s something I’m reflecting on.

That being said, the positives of my involvement with ACP far outweigh the negatives by 101%, honestly! That’s why I’m still here. It’s not even a question of stepping back; I’m fully committed.

The experience with ACP bridges the gap between theory and practice for me. In class, we’re taught the theoretical aspects of Mass Communication, but without practical experience, it’s harder to fully grasp the concepts. Many of my classmates get confused because they don’t have hands-on experience. For me, being active at ACP has been a game-changer. I don’t just know the definitions of concepts like news writing or reporting.

When lecturers explain certain concepts in class, everything clicks in my brain because I’ve seen it in action. I know how to write reports, draft news stories, and manage production schedules. This practical experience makes understanding class material so much easier.

ACP has also deepened my appreciation for what it means to be a journalist. People don’t realize how stressful yet impactful the job really is. For example, covering events often means standing for long hours, transcribing speeches word for word, or typing notes on my phone. Afterward, I still have to edit the story and submit it to my editor for final polishing. It’s intense, but it’s taught me the value of hard work.

Moreover, being involved in ACP has shown me the power and responsibility of the media. Covering events and creating content requires ensuring that the information we deliver is fair and just. One wrong word, an unfair framing, or biased reporting can have serious consequences. This has made me more conscious of the media’s role in societal development, informing and entertaining the public, and holding power accountable.

Editor-in-chief: What advice would you give to students who aspire to follow your footsteps and excel in Mass Communication?

Amina Ismaila: First and foremost, you must be passionate, and completely obsessed with every single facet of mass communication. Whether it’s journalism, development communications, research, PR, or advertising, you need to be genuinely interested in the field. Curiosity is the key. You absolutely must want to know how communication shapes our society: the decisions we make, how we think, how we dress, what we watch, and even the policies that govern us.

When you’re really passionate about something, it takes over your thoughts. You think about it when you wake up when you go to bed, and in between. That’s exactly how I felt about mass communication. My passion drives me to explore how communication influences and affects society.

The passion naturally spills over into other aspects of your life. For example, my love for mass communication drove me to join the ACP (Ahmadu Bello College Press Club). I wanted to gain practical experience to complement my theoretical knowledge. Membership of the ACP has provided me with practical tools and strategies that made classroom learning easier to grasp. When my lecturers explained concepts, I already had real-world experience to relate to. While others were still trying to figure things out, I already understood the bigger picture.

If you’re aspiring to excel in Mass Communication, especially as a student reporter, my advice is simple: be active. You cannot be passive. You need to get involved in everything happening around you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Speak up if you have ideas or opinions. Show people that you’re eager to learn and contribute. If no one is paying attention to you, do something that makes them notice your commitment.

Most importantly, communicate effectively. Don’t just talk—make sure your words carry value and purpose. That’s what makes a great communicator and, ultimately, a great Mass Communication student.

 

Azeez Sulaiman is a writer, editor, and graphic designer. He has previously served as Editor-in-Chief for two publications and currently holds the same position for the National Association of Social Science Students, ABU Chapter. Azeez is also an intern with the Global Citizenship Foundation, where he contributes to their weekly newsletter. He can be reached at azeezsulaiman05@gmail.com or 08133546108.