The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council on Thursday inaugurated Press Clubs in two secondary schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), an initiative aimed at mentoring students to develop a passion for journalism and consider it as a future career.
The beneficiary schools are Beautiful Beginning Academy (BBA), Apo, and Government Secondary School (GSS), Garki.
Inaugurating the clubs, Ms. Grace Ike, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, stated that the initiative was part of activities marking the council’s 2025 Press Week.
Ike explained that the primary goal is to “catch the students young,” inspiring and mentoring them to become veteran journalists who will positively impact their generations.
“Mentorship is one area we look up to. The second one is to encourage competition and then see how we can bring out our future leaders in terms of writing skills and broadcasting,” Ike said.
She added that the initiative would also train students, sensitive them on press freedom, and educate them about the evolving landscape of journalism, especially in an era of technological advancement, misinformation, and fake news.
Ike noted that while the council aims to establish press clubs in all FCT secondary schools, starting with one public and one private school was an exciting beginning, with plans for future expansion.
She urged NUJ members to support the initiative “to jointly build a future where information is accurate, voices are responsible, and journalism serves as a force for good.”
Vice Chairman of the Council, Mr Ndambabo Yahaya, said that the initiative goes beyond merely forming clubs.
“It is to sow the seeds of responsible journalism, civic engagement, and leadership in the young people,” he stated.
Yahaya highlighted that by launching the clubs, the council would empower students to engage with their schools and communities, contributing meaningfully to national development through informed communication.
He said that school press clubs had historically served as “breeding grounds for some of the finest journalists, communicators, and public intellectuals in Nigeria.”
He added that the initiative would help promote media literacy, develops leadership and teamwork, and enhances critical thinking and communication skills in writing, speaking, and storytelling.
Yahaya affirmed the council’s commitment to mentorship and capacity building, viewing the clubs as platforms for discovering future journalists who will uphold the profession’s ethics: truth, fairness, balance, and accountability.
He stated the council’s plans for periodic training of students and their teachers in media literacy and journalistic writing skills, as well as introducing inter-school press competitions to foster creativity and reward excellence.
“Journalism is not just about writing news; it is about being curious, seeking truth, and giving people the information they need to make informed decisions,” Yahaya advised the students.
Highlights of the event included news presentations by the newly inaugurated press clubs on the 2025 NUJ Press Week.
Principal of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Mr Harry Essang, commended the NUJ for initiating the project with his school, noting that “the students are inspired today.”
Patron of the BBA Press Club, Kayode Mayode, said tha the club had positively impacted students, boosting their confidence in public speaking and developing their writing prowess.
Miss Asimawu Maitama, a BBA Press Club member who read the news during the launch, expressed that the initiative had deepened her interest in journalism and strengthened her public speaking confidence.
Another BBA member, Mr Joshua Itajuwa, who shares a strong passion for journalism with his sister, described the event as enlightening.
“This press club has actually helped me to improve better in my writing and public speaking. Before now I was afraid to talk in crowds or stand on a stage, but now I can talk boldly and confidently anywhere,” Itajuwa said.
Miss Sule Favour, President of the GSS Garki Press Club, hailed the initiative as a great opportunity for students, pledging that they would utilize it to build upon the legacy of journalists in the country.
The Principal of Government Secondary School, Garki, Sadeeq Ochiji, also commended the council for the initiative, expressing confidence that the club would help produce great journalists in the future. Ochiji further extended appreciation to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for renovating the school.