Abia NUJ Chapel To Train 50 Media Practitioners For 2027 Polls

The Correspondents Chapel of Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to train over 50 members ahead of the 2027 general elections as part of its 2026 Press Week activities.

The chairman and secretary of the chapel, Steve Oko and Henrietta Ashikodi, and those of the planning committee of the week, Peter Okore and Leonard Okachie stated this in a statement in Umuahia, the state capital.

They said the three-day retreat programme is scheduled to hold from Wednesday to Friday, 6th November, 2026, at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Pastoral Centre, in the state capital.

According to the statement, the state governor, Dr Alex Otti, is the special guest at the grand finale while the commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, will open the retreat on Wednesday.

It also said the theme of the programme is “The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for Democracy and the 2027 Polls,”

“It will feature a two-day professional retreat, and a grand finale designed to strengthen the capacity of journalists for credible, ethical and responsible election reporting.
‎
‎”It is expected to equip them with essential skills and digital tools to navigate the increasing complex media landscape in the face of rising misinformation, disinformation, deep fakes, and the misuse of Artificial Intelligence.
‎
‎”The resource persons include the state resident electoral commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Agu; the commissioner of Police, AIG Wilfred Afolabi; and the first female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria, Stella Okunna.
‎
‎”Others are veteran journalist and former secretary to state government, Pastor Ralph Egbu; chief medical director, Abia Specialist Hospital, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu; and a digital expert, Chibueze Ukaegbu.
‎
‎”The keynote speech would be delivered by the rector, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba, Prof Christopher Okoro, while
‎the deputy vice chancellor, Gregory University Uturu, Prof Uwaoma Uche will chair the grand finale.”
‎
‎It further said the event would also feature the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to leadership, public service and sports.
‎
‎The statement added that the honourees include the minister of Works and former Ebonyi State governor, Senator David Umahi; Prof. Nnenna Oti; and Nigeria Super Eagles international, Samuel Chukwueze.