Media Training
Abia NUJ Correspondents Chapel Holds 2026 Press Week, Media Retreat, Tasks Journalists On Credibility Ahead Of 2027 Elections
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents Chapel, Abia State Council, has commenced activities marking its 2026 Press Week and 26th Media Retreat, with a call on journalists to uphold professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The three-day programme, featuring knowledge sharing, reflection, networking and celebration of journalistic excellence, is being held under the theme, “The Future of Journalism and Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for 2027 Elections.”
Speaking during the retreat, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described journalism as a critical pillar of democracy, noting that the media plays a vital role in bridging the gap between government and the governed, promoting accountability and providing citizens with credible information.
Kanu observed that the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies had transformed the way news is gathered, processed and disseminated, while creating new challenges through fake news, deepfakes and deliberate misinformation.
He urged journalists to strengthen their digital literacy, investigative reporting and fact-checking skills, stressing that professional responsibility and accuracy must remain the guiding principles of journalism.
The Commissioner maintained that access to credible information was essential for an informed society, advising media practitioners against sacrificing accuracy for speed or sensational headlines.
In her address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, identified public trust and information credibility as critical factors that would determine the success of the 2027 general elections.
Professor Agu said elections were not won or lost only at polling units but also through public perception, information and confidence in the electoral process.
She urged journalists to appreciate their influence in shaping public opinion, warning that inaccurate reports and deliberate misinformation could undermine electoral credibility and public confidence in INEC.
The REC described the media and the electoral commission as partners in the democratic process, stressing the need for collaboration in promoting transparency, accountability and peaceful elections.
She disclosed that INEC was strengthening its technological capacity ahead of the 2027 elections through improved voter accreditation systems, electronic transmission of polling-unit results, cybersecurity measures and continuous testing of electoral equipment.
Professor Agu further explained that the Commission was investing in staff training, retraining and simulation exercises to ensure adequate preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
She called on journalists to verify election-related information before publication, advising them to consult INEC’s official platforms and relevant authorities rather than rely on unverified social media reports.
The REC also encouraged media organisations to educate the public on relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly those relating to voter accreditation, electronic transmission of results and transparency in election management.
Earlier, veteran journalist Chimdi Oluoha described journalism as indispensable to democracy, noting that journalists serve as watchdogs who monitor the relationship between government and citizens.
Oluoha explained that democracy operates on a social contract in which citizens elect leaders with the expectation of effective governance, while the media monitors the performance of both parties.
He stressed that journalists must continually acquire knowledge and deepen their understanding of democratic principles to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
According to him, the fundamental duty of journalism is to report the whole truth, warning that half-truths and misinformation could erode public confidence in the media.
The retreat is expected to continue with further activities before its grand finale on Friday.
From : Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu
FIC umuahia .
5th November 2026.
Abia Online Media Publishers (OMPAN) is fully set to host its 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), a landmark gathering positioned to interrogate one of the most defining shifts in contemporary media practice—the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
With the theme “The Impact of AI on Media and Journalism,” this year’s AGM will critically explore how AI is reshaping reportage, storytelling, content creation, ethics, and the very future of journalism.
Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and former OMPAN Chairman, Comrade Ugochukwu Nwankwo, explained that the theme captures the urgent realities confronting media practitioners.
According to him, “The theme was carefully chosen to align with the present realities, where media professionals are now neck-deep in the use of AI.”
Also commenting, the current Chairman of the Organization, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, noted that this edition will be especially impactful, as it will feature an intensive training session designed for members, aspiring members, and the general public.
He added that the goal is to enhance media literacy and equip practitioners with the skills needed to navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape.
The AGM will hold on Friday, 12th December 2026, at the Umuahia North Local Government Area Multipurpose Hall.
The event will feature foremost IT specialist and practitioner, Dr. Pastra Arinze Etie, as Guest Lecturer. The Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, will serve as Chairman of the Occasion.
Media practitioners, tech enthusiasts, and the general public are warmly invited.
Come one, come all!
BURNING ISSUE
Governor Otti Challenges Media To Shape Culture, Inspire Change With Integrity At 2025 Vision Africa Media Institute Training
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has called on media practitioners to become architects of cultural transformation and agents of truth.
Dr. Alex Otti, urged media practitioners to embrace their critical role as cultural architects and catalysts for societal transformation by letting their work “speak louder than their noise.”
This stirring charge came during the opening of the 2025 Vision Africa Media Institute held in Umuahia, with the theme: “Image Makers: Shaping Culture, Inspiring Change Through Media.” and charged journalists to go beyond headlines to embrace storytelling that inspires trust, shapes public perception, and drives positive societal change.
Represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, Governor Otti emphasized that in a world driven by perceptions and digital narratives, the media must go beyond reportage to become active partners in nation-building, integrity, and accountability.
“We are not just resurfacing roads; we are rebuilding trust,” Governor Otti said. “And in this process, we need men and women of the media who will document truth, inspire action, and elevate our people’s aspirations.”
Calling Vision Africa a “vision factory and cradle for conscience-driven communicators,” Otti applauded the organization and its founder, Bishop Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, for sustaining the impactful media training initiative for 12 consecutive years.
He charged the young professionals undergoing training to ask themselves three pivotal questions:
- What story am I telling?
- Whose voice am I amplifying?
- What future am I inspiring through this story?
He further challenged participants to lead by example in their various media spheres, stating:“In your little corner, lead by example. Don’t worry if people criticize you,just stay focused and let your work speak louder than their noise.”
The governor described media professionals as “curators of perception and custodians of context”, noting that their words, images, and stories define public consciousness and must be handled with depth, responsibility, and value.
“Together, we will tell a better Abia story. Together, we will inspire a new culture of governance. And together, we will shape change that is real, visible, and sustainable.”
The two-day conference brought together a mix of local and international media experts, with sessions on media planning, AI in writing, leadership during crises, digital storytelling, ethics in journalism,Basic interview skills,Media resourcing,Production and story telling track,Building community, Listener engagement, Writing for social media ,etc.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Troy Miller, President and CEO of NRBTV, emphasized the spiritual and moral obligation of the media to tell the truth.
“Any media that does not tell the truth will not be trusted by society,” he warned, underscoring the theme’s relevance in today’s polarized and image-saturated media landscape.
Dr. Miller described journalists and broadcasters as “the image of truth of God on earth,” stressing their influence on how society perceives itself and its future.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Onuoha, the visionary founder of Vision Africa, thanked the board and international faculty of the Institute based in Dallas, Texas, for their sustained commitment.
He urged participants to apply their newly acquired skills in shaping a better media culture rooted in ethics, truth, and community service.
The 2025 Vision Africa Media Institute Conference ended on a high note, with participants committing to be storytellers who inspire hope, amplify the voices of the marginalized, and use the power of the pen and lens to shape a just, informed, and progressive society.
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