Boniface Okoro in Umuahia
The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State, will at present (November 4, 2026) kick off a three-day coaching for over 50 journalists and media professionals forward of the 2027 common election.
Sponsored by the Chapel, the coaching programme will run until November 6 at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Pastoral Centre, BCA Road, Umuahia, as a part of actions to mark the Chapel’s 2026 Press Week.
With the theme: ‘The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for Democracy and the 2027 Polls’, the retreat is designed to strengthen capability for credible, moral and accountable election reporting.
According to a joint assertion issued by the Chairman of the Chapel, Deacon Steve Oko; Secretary, Henrietta Ashikodi; Chairman of the Planning Committee, Peter Okor; and Secretary, Leonard Okachie, contributors shall be uncovered to accountable utility of AI in reporting, fact-checking and verification of political claims, moral election protection, media security, hate speech, inflammatory political communication, and promotion of peaceable, credible elections.
The retreat is predicted to function distinguished useful resource individuals, together with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia State, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, and the primary feminine Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria, Prof. Stella Okunna.
Others are veteran journalist and former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Ralph Egbu; Chief Medical Director of Abia State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu; and digital professional, Chibueze Ukaegbu.
The assertion stated the keynote handle can be delivered by the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Prof. Christopher Okoro, on the grand finale, whereas the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu, Prof. Uwaoma Uche, will chair the occasion.
The grand finale, which is able to happen on November 6, will function a political debate and manifesto presentation by National (*50*) candidates from varied political events, to supply them with a chance to current programmes to the citizens by way of the Chapel’s platforms, and promote neutrality, equal media entry, and issue-based engagement.
The Chapel stated the programme was conceived in response to rising calls for of election reporting in an period of digital manipulation, misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes, and misuse of Artificial Intelligence, noting that credible elections depend upon an knowledgeable citizens and a professionally outfitted media.
The occasion will even function the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians, together with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi; Prof. Nnenna Oti; and Super Eagles worldwide, Samuel Chukwueze, for his or her contributions to management, public service, and sports activities.
