Eniola Yekini
The Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, has held the maiden edition of its school sensitisation programme at CAC Comprehensive High School, Ado-Ekiti.
The programme, themed “From Classroom to Newsroom: Preparing the Next Generation of Journalists,” was aimed at exposing Arts students of the school to the values, principles and responsibilities of journalism.
Speaking on the initiative, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Comrade Sanya Atofarati, said the programme was designed to inspire students to see journalism beyond a career.
He expressed optimism that the engagement would help the students appreciate journalism as “a profession with significant responsibility for informing the public and contributing to societal development.”
In her remarks, the Principal of the school, Mrs Modupe Apata, commended the chapel for the initiative, noting that it had given the students a better understanding of the role of the press.
She added that the school remained open to further engagements with the NUJ.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Federated Chapel, Comrade Banke Fajuyi, cautioned students against sharing unverified information, especially from social media.
“Journalism goes beyond seeing a story online, particularly on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, and immediately sharing or reporting it,” she said.
Fajuyi stressed the importance of verifying information, confirming its source and establishing its accuracy before circulation.
The Senior Prefect (Girl) of the school, Tope Oluwaseun Favour, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked the chapel for the programme, saying it had broadened their knowledge of journalism and its core values.
The event featured practical sessions where students participated in newscasting, while members of the chapel made live radio presentation demonstrations.
A major highlight was the donation of items to the school by the Secretary of the chapel, Comrade Caleb Obisesan, on behalf of the executives, including a wall clock, literature books and branded pens for the students.
According to the chapel, the initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional journalism and encouraging young people to embrace responsible journalism, ethical reporting and credible information dissemination.