The New Media Conference, a brainchild CSR initiative of Olorisupergal Media, held its annual edition on the 11th of December 2024 at the Sinclair Lewis College, Agiliti, Lagos State.

The annual media conference/debate competition exposes secondary school students to the nuances of the media world, the program offers the opportunity to let school children learn about the varied mixes of the media world directly from media professionals.

Since its inception in 2017, the New Media Conference has impacted the lives of over 3000 school children across various secondary schools in Lagos state.

This year’s debate edition saw Sinclair Lewis College pitched against the Federal University of Agriculture International Staff School (FUNIS) as they sought to convince the panel of judges on the topic; “Social Media and Youth Mental Health; A Position On The Positive and Negative Effects of Its Usage”

New Media Conference Founder Tosin Ajibade talks about Social media usage

Giving her welcome address before the heated debate kicked off, Founder and CEO of Olorisupergal Media Mrs. Ajibade Oluwatosin reminded the audience of the various opportunities as well as potential pitfalls that come with social media usage.

She cited various examples of the good works Olorisupergal Media is doing in enhancing media usage and productions in Nigeria and key insights the students can learn from the media.

This year’s event was proudly done in partnership with Edusko, a startup that helps parents with everything that pertains to the education of their wards.

Moving properly into the event, the panel of judges featured some notable figures in the Nigerian education space including Mr. Jide Ayegbusi, Founder of Edusko, Mr. Tella Jolade and Mr. Ifeanyi Ernest.

The debate participants included two representatives from each school, with Adisa Oreoluwa and Aboyeji Toluwanimi representing FUNIS and Obayemi Gbolabo and Oladipo Adora standing in for Sinclair Lewis College.

Cash presentation for winners of the NMC 2024 debate

After a fiercely contested debate with different rounds, Sinclair Lewis College emerged victorious as the winner, taking home a cash prize of #700,000 and other prizes.

FUNIS came a close second and was consoled with a #300,000 cash prize with other awards and recognitions.

The 2024 event aimed to address how social media usage could have either positive or negative effects on the mental health of Nigerian youth. In all, feedback from students and other participants from the event showed a refreshed view of the various ways Social Media impacts Youth’s Mental Health.

Below are pictures from the 2024 NMC Debate between Sinclair Lewis and FUNIS: