Kano Government and Wole Soyinka Centre Honour PRNigeria‘s Pioneering Young Communication Fellowship”
The Kano State government, alongside the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), has commended the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship for its pivotal role in mentoring and empowering the next generation of communicators.
The accolades were expressed during the closing ceremony and graduation of the fellowship’s latest cohort, held at the PRNigeria Centre in Kano.
In her opening remarks, Motunrayo Alaka, the Executive Director and CEO of WSCIJ, praised the management of Image Merchant Promotion Limited (IMPR)—the publisher of PRNigeria—for their transformative efforts in redefining journalism and public relations in Nigeria. She emphasized PRNigeria‘s commitment to bridging the knowledge gap between theoretical understanding and practical application through its various mentorship and training initiatives.
Alaka highlighted the critical importance of equipping young communicators with modern skills, including proficiency in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, fact-checking techniques, and investigative reporting. She described these initiatives as timely, given the challenges posed by an increasingly technology-driven landscape.
“To the graduating Fellows, the digital tools and PR skills you have acquired during your rigorous training are indispensable for success and effective engagement within the journalism and PR sectors. These technological competencies extend beyond journalism to academia, enhancing research capabilities, documentation, and data mining,” she remarked.
She further noted that the fields of journalism and public relations have evolved into social enterprises that necessitate robust funding and support from both government and industry stakeholders.
Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Kano State Government House and spokesperson for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, also lauded the management of IMPR for conducting transformative mentorship programs at the PRNigeria Centre. He emphasized that the Young Communication Fellowship is a groundbreaking initiative that has significantly contributed to the professional development of aspiring communicators in Nigeria.
Deeply impressed by the fellows’ progress, Bature announced a scholarship for the best fellow, Malam Abubakar Musa Idris, to attend the Public Relations Finishing School in Abuja, along with cash donations for the runner-ups.
Expressing delight at the advanced training provided during the fellowship, Bature noted that participants received comprehensive education in digital tools, AI applications, multimedia, drone technology, contemporary communication techniques, investigative journalism, public relations, media research, and data analysis.
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“The skills you’ve acquired notably position you as competitive professionals in a fast-evolving digital landscape,” he stated. “The Kano State Government, through my office, will cover all expenses for the Best Fellow to attend the PR Finishing School, while the two runners-up will each receive a cash award of N100,000. Additionally, we will sponsor the NIPR membership fees for the three most qualified fellows.”
Earlier in the program, Yushau A. Shuaib, CEO of IMPR and publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, reaffirmed his commitment to making the fellowship an annual initiative. “With the backing of stakeholders and partners, our goal is to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in journalism and strategic communication, ensuring that young professionals are well-prepared to lead in an increasingly dynamic global landscape.”
“Our centers in Abuja, Ilorin, and Kano will continue to serve as incubators for burgeoning professionals in communication and public relations,” he added, noting that many former interns have successfully transitioned into valuable team members.
The Editor-in-Chief of Solace Newspaper, Alhaji Abdulateef Jos, who was also the Jury Chairman at the event commended the fellows for the individual and collective projects they executed during the fellowship and urge them to sustain the tempo.
In a concerted effort to promote gender inclusivity, the fellowship welcomed ten female and twenty male participants, reflecting strides toward narrowing the gender gap in the communications sector. Notably, Miss Zara Ibrahim and Miss Esther Ajibade emerged as top fellows in Abuja and Ilorin, respectively, while Abubakar Musa Idris won in the Kano cohort. All winners received scholarships to attend the PR Finishing School from President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Idris Malagi, and the Kano State government.
Certificates of completion were presented to the ten fellows by Alhaji Bello Maitama, the Sarkin Kofar Dukawuya, in a ceremony attended by esteemed guests, including Kano’s Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Aliyu Yusuf; Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Mallam Aminu Garko; Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Mustapha Gambo; and Dr. Musa Abdullahi Sufi, Coordinator of the Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation.
Launched in 2024, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship—organized by IMPR and supported by WSCIJ through funding from the MacArthur Foundation—aims to enhance excellence in journalism and public relations. In its inaugural year, the program has already provided training to 30 participants across Nigeria.
This initiative underscores PRNigeria‘s dedication to innovation and excellence within Nigeria’s communication industry, charting a course for a new generation of communicators prepared to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the modern media landscape.
By PRNigeria
