2026 PRNigeria Fellowship: IMPR Graduates 30 Young Journalists, Pate Pushes Digital Mastery and Ethics
The Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, has graduated 30 young journalists and communication practitioners under the 2026 PRNigeria Young Communication Fellows Programme, concluding a three‑centre training cycle held in Abuja, Ilorin and Kano.
The final graduation ceremony took place at the PRNigeria Centre in Kano, where renowned communication scholar Professor Umar Alhaji Pate charged the fellows to embrace emerging technologies, acquire relevant digital skills and continually update their knowledge to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Addressing media professionals, institutional partners and security stakeholders at the ceremony, Pate—former Vice‑Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere—examined how innovations such as the internet, artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things have transformed journalism and strategic communication globally.
He noted that digital disruption has intensified competition among news organisations and accelerated the speed of news production and consumption, especially through social media.
Pate urged journalists to continually upgrade their knowledge, acquire digital competencies and adapt to emerging trends. He also called for regular reviews of journalism curricula to ensure media education keeps pace with technological developments and evolving audience needs.
“We must regularly update our teaching curriculum and mode of training in order to respond to modern challenges and satisfy the needs of the people,” he said.
In his welcome address, IMPR Chief Executive Officer Mallam Yushau Shuaib, represented by PRNigeria Managing Editor Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, said the fellowship was established to mentor and equip the next generation of credible communicators with the skills and ethical values required for effective media practice.
He said the fellows were selected through a rigorous, transparent and merit‑based process from 691 applications nationwide, with 10 fellows assigned to each of the programme’s centres.
“We are going to sustain this practice of mentoring upcoming journalists for many generations,” Shuaib said.
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In a goodwill message, Solacebase Media Publisher Alhaji Abdullateef Abubakar Jos urged the fellows to uphold honesty, truthfulness and professionalism, and to pursue impactful stories that address societal challenges and promote accountability.
Kano State Police Command spokesperson CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa encouraged the graduates to apply their new skills creatively and productively within their communities, stressing the importance of effective public communication in strengthening societal development.
Turad Suraj of the Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation, a partner supporting the fellowship, congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold journalistic ethics and serve as worthy ambassadors of the programme.
The royal father of the day, Alhaji Bello Maitama, Sarkin Kofar Dukawuya, advised the fellows to hold their profession in high esteem and remain committed to truthfulness, patriotism and honesty.
During the Kano cohort, fellows interacted with award‑winning investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). Soyombo shared insights from his undercover investigations, including his recent report on irregular migration through Libya.
He urged aspiring journalists to place public interest, ethical responsibility and personal safety at the centre of investigative reporting.
“Courage without planning is just recklessness,” he warned, emphasising the need for risk assessment, safety arrangements, credible evidence and independent verification.
Programme Coordinator Zekeri Idakwo Laruba disclosed that IMPR has trained 90 young communicators since the fellowship began in 2024, reflecting its growing contribution to developing Nigeria’s next generation of media professionals.
The fellowship combines classroom instruction, newsroom simulations, mentorship, fact‑checking, digital literacy, crisis communication, open‑source intelligence and responsible AI application in media practice. It also promotes solutions journalism and development‑focused reporting.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the 10 fellows who completed the Kano cohort—the final phase of the 2026 edition.
The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting credible, ethical and innovative journalism capable of navigating Nigeria’s rapidly changing information environment.
By PRNigeria
