The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has flagged off Press Clubs in Beautiful Beginning Academy, Apo and Government Secondary School (GSS), Garki, as part of activities marking the 2025 Press Week celebration.
The initiative which was birthed by the current leadership of the Union, led by Comrade Grace Ike, was tailored to instill journalistic and communications skills on the students, to become better informed citizens of Nigeria.
Inaugurating the clubs on Thursday in Abuja, Comrade Ike enjoined the students to work towards becoming not just future journalists, but future leaders of the country.
Reflecting on her emergence as the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, and her zeal to make a difference, Ike said the Council is poised to break new grounds.
While congratulating the students, she emphasized the need for mentorship to ensure that the students are well trained and equipped, especially in the areas of writing and broadcasting.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Council, Comrade Yahaya Ndambabo, said the initiative was not just about forming clubs, but about sowing the seeds of responsible journalism, civic engagement and leadership in the young people.
“As journalists, we believe in the power of information, importance of communication and necessity of platforms where voices can be heard, and talents nurtured. Today, therefore, marks a critical step in building a foundation right from the secondary school,” he noted.
Highlighting the importance of the press club in the schools, Comrade Ndambabo, said the press club is a breeding ground for public communicators and intellectuals. It nurtures students for future leadership positions, and trains them to be critical thinkers, by asking the right questions at all times.
As future journalists, the VC urged them to uphold the ethics of the profession; fairness, balance and accountability.
In their separate speeches, the Principals of BBA, Mr Harry Essang, and GSS, Garki, Sadeeq Ayo Ochiji, thanked the NUJ FCT Council for the initiative, which according to them would sharpen the students’ journalistic skills.
Ochiji noted that “Journalism is about information gathering and sharing. Therefore, without proper education, you cannot pass proper information, and without proper information, you are going to mislead the nation.”
Speaking, the President of the Press Club, BBA, Becky said the Press Club would positively impact the students’ writing, information gathering and public presentation, which are essential for school activities.
On her part, the President of Press Club, GSS, Garki, Favour Sule pledged her loyalty to the club, especially by bringing the members together to continue with the legacy bequeathed by the NUJ FCT Council.
