The West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) has graduated 43 participants from its second-quarter (Q2) Long Course programme, reaffirming its commitment to raising a new generation of ethical and highly skilled media professionals equipped for the rapidly changing communications landscape.
The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, 3rd July 2026 at the Academy’s Abuja campus and streamed live to participants and guests in Enugu and Lagos, celebrated 17 graduates from Abuja, 15 from Enugu, five from Lagos, and six online participants.
Addressing the gathering, WABMA Rector, Dr. Ken Ike Okere, said the media industry is experiencing unprecedented disruption driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and the explosive growth of social media, which has transformed virtually everyone into a potential publisher.
Despite these changes, Dr Okere stressed that the core principles of journalism remain unchanged. “Truth, credibility and integrity still matter. At WABMA, we place great emphasis on ethics, professionalism and fact-checking because while skills may get you noticed, it is character that builds lasting careers,” the Rector said.
Truth, credibility and integrity still matter. At WABMA, we place great emphasis on ethics, professionalism and fact-checking because while skills may get you noticed, it is character that builds lasting careers.”
The keynote lecture, titled “Mastering the Craft: Meeting Change Where Opportunity Beckons,” was delivered by veteran journalist Emma Ozoemena, who examined the changing face of journalism in the digital era.
Ozoemena explained the importance of craftsmanship in journalism while highlighting technological innovations that have transformed news gathering and dissemination. He also warned against the growing culture of sensationalism on social media, where ordinary press releases and text messages are often presented as “breaking news.”
He urged media practitioners to uphold professional standards by exercising sound editorial judgment and preserving the credibility of the profession.
In his closing remarks, WABMA Executive Director, Mike Yawe, reaffirmed the Academy’s determination to continually improve its programmes.
“Excellence is not a destination but a continuous journey. At WABMA, every quarter must be better than the previous one. That commitment informed the introduction of our inaugural lecture series as part of the Q2 curriculum,” he said.
Excellence is not a destination but a continuous journey. At WABMA, every quarter must be better than the previous one. That commitment informed the introduction of our inaugural lecture series as part of the Q2 curriculum,” he said.
Yawe noted that one of the quarter’s major innovations was the inaugural lecture delivered by internationally respected communication scholar, Dr. Nwosu Ndem Orji, titled “The Fine Art of Communication in Leadership.”
During the lecture, Dr. Orji emphasised that communication goes beyond simply delivering a message, quoting communication expert George Bernard Shaw: “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
He explained that communication is only complete when a message is understood, trusted and acted upon.
The graduation ceremony also featured goodwill messages and testimonies from participants, who praised WABMA for its practical, industry-focused training and mentorship.
Certificates of completion were presented by the Academy’s Dean of Studies, Felix Okoro, who congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to uphold professionalism as ambassadors of WABMA.
The event concluded with celebrations involving graduates, faculty members, friends and family, marking another successful academic quarter for the Academy.
WABMA says it will continue to strengthen its position as a leading institution for practical media, communication and leadership training in Africa through innovative programmes designed to meet the demands of the evolving global media industry.
