The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, has lauded the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship (PYCF) for nurturing the next generation of media and communication professionals, describing the initiative as a vital investment in the future of journalism in Nigeria.

Abdullahi gave the commendation at the graduation ceremony of the 2026 Abuja Cohort of the fellowship held at the newly commissioned PRNigeria Academy in Lugbe, Abuja. The academy was donated by the Founder of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, to support the training of young journalists and communication professionals.

Ten young Nigerians graduated from the Abuja centre after completing a two-week intensive residential programme designed to equip participants with practical skills in journalism, public relations, strategic communication, fact-checking, digital media and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

The NUJ President commended Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest, for sustaining the fellowship and urged stronger collaboration with the union to expand the number of beneficiaries annually.

He described mentorship as indispensable to the growth of journalism and encouraged the graduates to become professionals whose work would advance national development.

“You must understand your purpose, create value and develop innovations that promote national interest, security and unity. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we all have a responsibility to contribute positively to its development,” Abdullahi said.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, disclosed that the 2026 edition attracted 691 applications from across the country, with only 30 candidates selected—10 each for the Abuja, Kano and Ilorin centres.

He explained that the fellowship was established to bridge the gap between academic training and the practical demands of modern journalism and strategic communication.

“The fellowship is designed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and practical communication skills. Many graduates possess theoretical knowledge but lack practical competence in editing, proofreading, news gathering, fact-checking and other core aspects of journalism,” he said.

According to Shuaib, participants also received training in investigative and development journalism, crisis communication, multimedia storytelling and emerging technologies transforming the media landscape.

He noted that the programme places particular emphasis on the responsible application of artificial intelligence, equipping participants with the skills to use AI tools ethically, detect misinformation and improve the quality and credibility of their reports.

Shuaib urged the graduates to embrace continuous learning, collaboration and innovation, stressing that success in today’s communication industry depends on the willingness to read, learn, relearn and adapt to emerging realities.

He also advised young Nigerians to deploy social media responsibly, describing digital platforms as powerful tools for promoting patriotism, national development and constructive public discourse rather than gossip and misinformation.

The IMPR chief executive said the fellowship, now in its third year, has continued to expand through the support of clients, partners and stakeholders who recognise the importance of developing ethical and competent communication professionals.

He revealed that the programme, which initially operated on a non-residential basis, had become fully residential following support from stakeholders, with similar facilities already established in Kano while plans were underway to extend the initiative further.

According to him, eligibility for the fellowship requires applicants to be graduates below the age of 30 who have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Chairman of Wonderland Television, Alhaji Ismaila Sani, described the fellowship as a valuable platform for networking, knowledge sharing and professional growth.

He encouraged the graduates to remain creative, embrace lifelong learning and adapt to the rapidly evolving communication industry, assuring them of continued support from Image Merchants.

Also speaking, the 2025 Best Fellow, Miss Oyeyemi Abolade, reflected on the demanding nature of the fellowship, noting that it required discipline, sacrifice and commitment through rigorous reading, research, writing and field assignments.

She urged the new graduates to nurture the relationships built during the programme, describing professional networks as essential for career growth and success in journalism.

Emerging as the Best Fellow of the 2026 Abuja Cohort, Mariya Bagudo described the recognition as both humbling and inspiring.

She expressed gratitude to the organisers, trainers, mentors and fellow participants for contributing to her personal and professional development, saying the fellowship had significantly strengthened her communication skills and broadened her understanding of ethical journalism and strategic communication.

Launched in 2024 by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship has rapidly emerged as one of Nigeria’s most competitive media mentorship programmes. It provides fully funded residential training in journalism, public relations, crisis communication, fact-checking, multimedia storytelling and artificial intelligence, with fellows selected annually from Abuja, Kano and Ilorin. The programme continues to produce young professionals who are contributing to newsrooms, corporate communication, public relations and media organisations across the country.

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The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr. Chris Isiguzo has advised the first cohort of the inaugural PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship to leverage social media in becoming true media and public relations professionals.

Isiguzo spoke at the opening ceremony of the one-month-long capacity-building training for ten select PRNigeria Communication Fellows.

The event occurred at the Abuja Corporate Headquarters of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, the two flagship media publications of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR).

Isiguzo encouraged young communicators to leverage social media in their profession because the media is now moving from the hands of professionals to the ordinary citizens thus removing the element of objectivity in media reportage.

In his words, “The real journalist is the trained journalist. It is important to pick out the fake news and put the real ones out there. We must battle those who are putting out fake news and change the narrative on social media. Your role in this, as the next generation of journalists, is crucial and influential.”

Dr. Isiguzo also advised the PRNigeria fellows to take their profession seriously, emphasizing how much of a powerful tool journalism is in promoting accountability in a democratic setting like Nigeria. He stressed the significant role they play in shaping public discourse and holding those in power accountable.

“Journalism is a unique profession. Given the circumstances, the law (constitution) has given power to journalists and this is why we are the linkage or middlemen between the government and the people.

During his opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib welcomed the fellows and explained how complex the selection process was while choosing the 10 cohorts from over 1,000 applicants.

“When we announced the fellowship, within two days we received 1,414 entries. Due to the competitiveness, the selection process had to use the first-come, first-served principle as the primary criteria for selection. This approach was consistent across all centres in Kano, Ilorin, and Abuja, after which 10 Fellows were selected for each Centre so I want to welcome and congratulate you,” he said.

Alhaji Shuaib stated the essence of the fellowship while giving an overview of its programme activities and encouraged participants to utilise the opportunity for their self and community development.

“The essence of the Fellowship is to broaden your scope of knowledge in all aspects of communication. While journalism deals with gathering and disseminating information, strategic communication involves being mindful of the kind of information shared to avoid harming the community and those mentioned in the report.

“The Fellowship focuses on modern communication methods, public relations, crisis communication and social media engagement, introducing technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning as journalism has evolved. Additionally, there is a multimedia session, as communication is shifting from print to audiovisual.

“This Fellowship also provides networking opportunities. To facilitate this, we organised a session where you will visit some organisations, including media houses and PR departments, to interact, learn from their practical experiences, and gain hands-on experience.

“It is expected that you will contribute knowledge and groundbreaking projects to the world based on what you learn during the fellowship,” he said.

Other speakers at the event included Dr. Sule Yau Sule, a seasoned PR practitioner and communication scholar at Bayero University Kano and Mallam Yusuf Alli, a multi-award-winning investigative journalist and a Managing Editor at the Nation Newspapers.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, is already concluding its work on the revised ‘Code of Ethics’ for journalists in the country.

It will be out as soon as some key stakeholders put the necessary finishing touches to it, according to Mr. Chris Isiguzo.

Isiguzo, the National President of the NUJ, made this known at a ‘Digital Journalism and Fact-Checking Workshop’ for journalists in Rivers State.

The event was sponsored by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, and attracted journalists from various media outfits in the state.

READ ALSO: 2023 Polls: NITDA cautions journalists against fake news

The workshop, themed: Imperatives of Digital News Verification for 2023 Elections,” held in Port Harcourt, was facilitated by the image Merchants Promotion (IMPR), Limited, the publisher of PRNigeria, in collaboration with the NUJ.

While emphasizing that the Nigerian media must put in place a framework for self-regulation, Mr. Isiguzo said their NUJ is championing the formulation of a Bill of Rights for media practitioners, together with the establishment of an Ombudsman to regulate the practice of journalism in the country.

“Appointing a Press Ombudsman is one efficient to help secure the respect and freedom of the Nigerian press.

“We also believe that the Ombudsman would help deliver satisfactory, speedy, and accessible remedies to many of the complaints against our journalists and media organisations,” he said.

Ahead of the 2023 polls and proliferation of fake news, the NUJ boss also called for the adoption of ‘Global Ethics Charter for Journalists’ by media professionals.

“While there is nothing like ethics and morality in the social media, and by implications in the general information disorder we find ourselves in, however it is proper to encourage accountability in the mainstream media and in whatever we do as media professionals,” he said.

Isiguzo said that for Nigerian journalists to assist in making the 2023 polls peaceful, they must promote and adhere to high ethical standards in their reportage while also ensuring that they report political issues and events responsibly.

Earlier, Mal. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of NITDA, who was represented by Haj. Hadiza Umar, the agency’s spokesperson, restated NITDA’s commitment to the expansion of the digital space, development of journalists’ human capital and the promotion of robust digital-based journalism, that serves the best and wider interest of the nation.

He noted that learning how to do fact-checks will help media professionals carry out due diligence on any information that comes to them while also stemming the tide of fake news.

“There’s no doubting the fact that we are in the digital age where everything is now based on computers and the internet.

“It is of interest to us therefore that our journalists take advantage of the available digital tools to do their jobs better and serve the country better,” said the NITDA Director General.

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TECHDIGEST – Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdulahi, Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has cautioned Journalists against carrying fake news while reporting the forthcoming general election.

He said this on Wednesday while declaring open a digital journalism and fact-checking workshop organised by NITDA in collaboration with NUJ and PRNigeria in Enugu.

Represented by, Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head of Communication and External Affairs, he said the workshop was designed to reawaken journalists on the dangers of fake news, especially before, during and after elections.

“The Theme of this workshop: “Imperatives of Digital news Verifications for 2023 Election,” is apt considering that the 2023 election is fast approaching.

“Fake news can mare the forthcoming election, journalists must always try to verify their news before publishing,” he said.

Speaking, the President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, said that the workshop was a continuation of a nationwide capacity engagements spanning 20 states.

“This is in view of the moment of electioneering ahead of the elections.

READ ALSO: NUJ Commends NITDA for Digital Journalism Trainings at State Level

“We considered it imperative to engage strategic stakeholders participating in the elections,” he said.

Isiguzo said that journalists must maintain high level of professional ethics in the discharge of their duties, especially in the electioneering period.

He urged journalists to always think about the integrity and peaceful co-existence of the country above other considerations.

“Journalists should be guided by national interest in their reportage.

“The media must understand that we operate in a condition where we need to pull our people out of ignorance, poverty and squalor,” he said.

The NUJ president described fake news as one of the greatest threats to democracy, adding that, the NUJ was currently making efforts to rewrite the ethics for journalists.

“This has become imperative in the light of the advent of the social media,” he said.

Source: IkengaOnline

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, is worried that the safety and welfare of media practitioners in the country is nothing to write home about, especially in recent times.

Its concern was revealed at a ‘Digital Journalism and Fact-Checking Workshop’ in Enugu State, themed: “Imperative of Digital News Verification for 2023 Elections.”

The event was sponsored by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, and attracted journalists from various media outfits in the state.

The NUJ, through its National President, Chris Isiguzo, however called on relevant stakeholders to quickly evolve ways to protect journalists from all forms of violent assaults, while also ensuring that everything about their welfare is well catered for.

READ ALSO: NITDA Bill 2021 ‘ll Help Nigeria Harness Benefits of Global Digital Economy – Editor

According to Isiguzo, it is pertinent that the National Assembly, NASS, legislates and comes up with a ‘Bill of Rights’ for journalists in the country.

Mr. Isiguzo, at the workshop facilitated by the image Merchants Promotion (IMPR), Limited, the publisher of PRNigeria in collaboration with the NUJ, explained that having a ‘Bill of Rights’ for media practitioners will go a long way to ensure that the needs, safety and welfare of journalists in the country are safeguarded.

Ahead of the 2023 polls and proliferation of fake news, the NUJ boss also called for the adoption of ‘Global Ethics Charter for Journalists’ by media professionals.

“While there is nothing like ethics and morality in the social media, and by implications in the general information disorder we find ourselves in, however it is proper to encourage accountability in the mainstream media and in whatever we do as media professionals,” he said.

Isiguzo, while speaking further, maintained that the journalist’s responsibility towards the public takes precedence over any other responsibility, in particular towards their employers and the public authorities.

He said that for Nigerian journalists to assist in making the 2023 polls peaceful, they must promote and adhere to high ethical standards in their reportage while also ensuring that they report political issues and events responsibly.

Earlier, Mal. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of NITDA, who was represented by Haj. Hadiza Umar, the agency’s spokesperson, restated NITDA’s commitment to the expansion of the digital space, development of journalists’ human capital and the promotion of robust digital-based journalism, that serves the best and wider interest of the nation.

He noted that learning how to do fact-checks will help media professionals carry out due diligence on any information that comes to them while also stemming the tide of fake news.

“There’s no doubting the fact that we are in the digital age where everything is now based on computers and the internet.

“It is of interest to us therefore that our journalists take advantage of the available digital tools to do their jobs better and serve the country better,” said the NITDA Director General.

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TECHDIGEST – Ahead of the 2023 polls and proliferation of fake news, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, is seeking the adoption of ‘Global Ethics Charter for Journalists’ by media professionals in the country.

National President of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, made the appeal at a Digital Journalism and Fact-Checking Workshop’ in Lagos State.

The workshop, sponsored by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, in collaboration with the NUJ, was facilitated by PRNigeria, and themed: “Imperative of Digital News Verification for 2023 Elections’.

He said that although experts believe fake news is one of the greatest threats to democracy, free debate and good governance, it is journalism or information that deliberately misleads people and distorts reality by spreading false information, hoaxes, propaganda or misrepresentation of facts.

According to Isiguzo, the idea of a journalistic ethos is not only to provoke discussion on ethical and moral issues in journalism practice, but also intended to provide a philosophical basis for journalistic ethics and set conceptual framework for working at and appraising the many hazards in modern journalism practice.

READ ALSO: The Needless Attacks on Pantami over NITDA Bill

“While there is nothing like ethics and morality in the social media, and by implications in the general information disorder we find ourselves in, however it prosper to encourage accountability in the mainstream media and in whatever we do as media professionals,” he said.

The NUJ boss, while speaking further, maintained that the journalist’s responsibility towards the public takes precedence over any other responsibility, in particular towards their employers and the public authorities.

He said: “It must be accepted that perhaps deficiencies of the media are now more glaring than in the past, given the complexity of the society, the interdependence of its component parts and the indispensability of information and communication, comprehending and adapting to the rapid challenges that occur in our society”.

Mr. Isiguzo, emphasized the need for the media to take its environment into account when performing the role of transmitting information to members of the society. “There is therefore the urgent need for us to redefine the concept of news in such a way as would enable interpretation of events to take cognisance of the totality of our population”.

Earlier, Mal. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of NITDA, who was represented by Haj. Hadiza Umar, the agency’s spokesperson, restated NITDA’s commitment to the expansion of the digital space, development of journalists’ human capital and the promotion of robust, digital-based journalism that serves the best and wider interest of the nation.

“There’s no doubting the fact that we are in the digital age where everything is now based on computers and the internet.

“It is of interest to us therefore that our journalists take advantage of the available digital tools to do their jobs better and serve the country better,” he said.

Kashifu Inuwa, noted that learning how to do fact-checks will definitely help media professionals to be able to do due diligence on any information that comes to them and this will help stem the tide of fake news.

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Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, who had been serving as the Director of the Commission’s Special Duties Department, is replaced by Muoka. Along with Ismail Adedigba, who is now Director of Research and Development (R&D), and Gwa-Tobi Mohammed, who has also acquired responsibilities as Director/Secretary to the Board of the Commission, the new NCC spokesperson was recently promoted to substantive director.In 2021, Muoka was chosen to lead the Special Duties Department, which also oversees the Commission’s Security Services Unit, Emergency Communication Centers Unit, and Public Private Partnership Unit.

Readalso:INVESTIGATION: Danger Looms as 230 Kidney Patients Weekly Battle for 12 Dialysis Machines in Kano

Before his current redeployment to head the Public Affairs Department, the arm of the Commission tasked with managing the image and visibility of Nigeria’s telecom regulator and a shining example of the country’s public service, he was promoted to Director of the Department.

Muoka is expected to contribute his extensive and diverse experience in both traditional and specialized journalism, public relations, corporate communication, integrated marketing communications (IMC), and people management to the Commission’s vision to broaden the reach of its goodwill with the public and the influence of its reputational assets.

Reubens Ejike Muoka is a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ); a full member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (mnipr); and an associate member of the Registered Practitioners of Advertising (arpa), regulated by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

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TECHDIGEST – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has agreed to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to provide eligible journalists with the technological tools to enhance their professional practice.

This was during a courtesy visit by members of the Union, led by its National President, Chris Isiguzo.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, decried the adverse effect of fake news which he described as unimaginable and a huge threat to the profession, hence the need for continuous training and engagements.

“Today, anybody can be a journalist without knowing the journalistic ethics. So, how can we address that?

“We can only do that through this kind of engagement; by training and retraining because journalists need to understand that it is now about digital journalism and for you to engage in that, one needs to understand the technology and be able to verify the information and it’s source before publishing or broadcasting”.

“We need to always reskill, update our knowledge, and understand how the technology works in order to harness the potentials and use it for better things because technology can be used as either a tool or a weapon.

While describing journalism as the best medium to sensitize the public on what the federal government is doing towards achieving a digital Nigeria, Inuwa noted that the partnership would greatly be beneficial to both parties.

On the forthcoming National Executive Council/ Workshop on Digital Journalism organized by the Union, the NITDA boss expressed interest in the planned programme and assured the body of the agency’s support.

Speaking earlier, the NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo while applauding NITDA for the different training sessions held for journalists in Jigawa, Kano, Gombe, Katsina and other States, said the visit was to formally meet for the first time to seek for partnership at the national level.

Isiguzo also appealed for digital facilities to be provided for the Union’s National Secretariat and International Institute of Journalism in order to aid optimal operations.

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TECHDIGEST – In continuation of its drive to enhance the capacity of media practitioners in the country, no fewer than 50 journalists and Social Media Influencers in Jigawa State have benefitted from a ‘Digital Journalism and Fact-Checking Training’ sponsored by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The training which was organized by Image Marchant Promotions Limited (IMPR) – Publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential Magazine; in conjunction with Penlight Centre for New Media Innovation with support from NITDA, held at the Manpower Development Institute (MDI), Dutse.

The training exposed participants and other online practitioners to various skills including media ethics, digital journalism and news verification, among others.

While declaring the workshop open, Hadiza Umar, the Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations NITDA said that the capacity building workshop is one of the core mandates and objectives of the Agency and it was aimed at equipping Journalists with knowledge and skills of Digital Journalism practice in the Digital era.

In his paper presentation titled: “Journalism Ethics in an Era of Global Information Disorder”, former Managing Director of the Jigawa Broadcasting Corporation, Alh. Sabo Abdullahi Guri, charged media practitioners in Nigeria to uphold professionalism and high ethical standards in the discharge of their duties as the fourth estate of the realm.

He noted that the evolution of digital media and related technologies pose a significant threat to journalists and analogue media managers, hence the dire need to mainstream digital technologies in serving the public better as the watchdogs of society.

“The media is governed by standards which oversee its conduct and define its relationship with the larger society,” he said.

He charged the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to checkmate such erosion of standards, especially by some privately run media organizations.

“People cannot continue to belittle our profession just because someone wants to make money,” he lamented.

The Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria, Malam Yushau Shuaib, charged journalists and online practioners to take ownership and understand the consequences of their actions before going public.

He went further to educate participants on the techniques of digital journalism, social media practices and management of crises in communication.

The PR specialist used the medium to emphasize the need for journalists to acquire knowledge and skills on new-media technologies as tools for effective and efficient practice of digital journalism, charging them to desist from all forms of false information, fake News and hate speeches that could generate tensions among the people.

While taking participants on the topic: “Social Media Management, Etiquette for Journalists and Influencers”, Samuel Adeyemi, Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter, warned that journalists and social media influencers should be wary of people that use them to promote pecuniary ideology and agenda.

The Project Manager of Penlight Centre, Dahiru M Lawal, spoke on online media fact-checking, media monitoring and search engine optimization, where he introduced Journalists and social media influencers to basic knowledge of facts reporting, content monitoring on social media and techniques of using digital tools for effective verification of information.

Before presenting certificates to participants, the Media Adviser to Jigawa State Government, Mallam Habib Kila commended NITDA for its various technological interventions and capacity building programmes on Digital innovations across the states of the federation.

Other guests at the occasion included Mallam Habib M. Ringim, SSA New Media and Mallam Ahmed Danyaro, SSA Print Media.

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