NUJ FCT, Adobe Express Train 100 Journalists on Digital Storytelling By Raymond Enoch
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, on Monday reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to empowering media practitioners in the nation’s capital through continuous learning, innovation, and exposure to global best practices.
Comrade Ike stated this while declaring open a one-day capacity-building training organised by the Council in collaboration with Adobe Express Team and Lifestyle Hues. The training attracted 100 Abuja-based journalists drawn from both public and private media organisations.
She said the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to ensure journalists remain competitive, relevant, and impactful in the evolving media landscape.
“I believe this training is one of many steps we are taking to ensure that our members remain competitive, relevant, and impactful. The media space has evolved and the way we present information must also adapt. This is why trainings like these are not just necessary but essential,” she said.
According to her, the ability to design compelling visuals, edit multimedia content, and present stories in engaging formats has become a core aspect of modern journalism.
“Tools like Adobe Express are now critical instruments for effective communication in the digital age. The NUJ FCT will remain committed to building the capacity of our members through continuous learning, innovation, and exposure to global best practices,” she added.
Comrade Ike commended the management of Lifestyle Hues and the Adobe Express Team for partnering with the Council and sharing their expertise with journalists. She also urged participants to maximise the opportunity by paying attention, asking questions, and applying the knowledge gained in their respective newsrooms and media platforms.
Speaking during the training, the facilitator, Ayodotun Akinfenwa of Lifestyle Hues, explained that the programme was designed to support media professionals with practical digital communication skills.
“Journalists, like everyone else, need to understand how to create designs, announcements, presentations, and content in line with their work. Tools like this help them become more independent and enhance their productivity as journalists and media professionals,” she said.
Mrs. Akinfenwa, a seasoned brand marketing consultant as well as an Adobe Partner and Ambassador, noted that Adobe Express tools could significantly boost productivity for journalists, content creators, and business owners.
“Journalists need these tools. If you are not online or not showing up online, it is almost as if you are not doing anything. Many people have experience and knowledge, but because they are not visible online, they miss out on opportunities,” she noted.
She further stressed the importance of digital communication tools in enhancing information dissemination and improving public access to timely and engaging content.
“There is so much information that needs to be shared to help people become better citizens and go about their businesses effectively. Tools like these make communication easier and help journalists produce content faster and in formats that audiences can easily digest,” she said.
Mrs. Akinfenwa also called on media owners in both the public and private sectors to invest more in training and retraining journalists, particularly in emerging communication and AI-driven tools.
“Journalists are major influencers culturally, socially, and economically. They must remain at the cutting edge of communication, AI, publishing, and dissemination tools. Media organisations will benefit greatly when their journalists are properly trained and exposed to modern tools,” she stressed.
Participants described the training as timely and impactful, while calling for more capacity-building initiatives for journalists across the country.
