The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, today held the Main Event of its 2025 Press Week and Award Ceremony at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, with stakeholders reaffirming the urgent need for ethical journalism in the fight against misinformation in Nigeria’s digital age.
The week-long activities had earlier opened on Thursday with a symposium on child protection and abuse prevention, but the climax came today with a convergence of journalists, policymakers, civil society leaders, corporate partners, and faith-based organizations under the theme: “Journalism and the Fight Against Misinformation in a Digital Age.”
Journalism Must Be Reorganized to Meet Digital Challenges
Declaring the event open, Comrade Abraham Akpabio, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, described the 2025 edition as historic, promising it would mark a new era of “reorganization and re-engineering” of the chapel’s activities.
Akpabio warned that unchecked misinformation is causing serious harm to society.
“In this digital age, misinformation has become one of the most dangerous tools against society. We must double or even triple-check facts before publishing. Our profession stands on accuracy, credibility, and ethical reporting, and these values must not be compromised,” he said.
He called on journalists to remain vigilant, fact-check rigorously, and hold those in power accountable, describing truth-telling as a sacred duty.
“Truth vs Lies Is the Real Battle” — Goodwill Messages
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Frederick Onuh Gowon, Managing Director of Sikkens Nigeria, illustrated the dangers of misinformation with the story of a prince who cleverly manipulated evidence to win a contest.
“The lesson is clear: evidence can be destroyed or manipulated. Investigative journalism is about distinguishing truth from lies. Without proper verification, you cannot prove anything. Journalists must use all their skills and resources to seek out the truth,” he advised.
Gowon also urged reporters to adopt the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) by focusing their energy on the few critical tasks that yield the greatest results.
The Chairperson of NAWOJ Lagos, Mrs. Jumoke Johnson, congratulated the Correspondents’ Chapel and praised the timeliness of the theme.
“Social media has turned everyone into a journalist, and with that comes a flood of misinformation. Professionals and consumers alike must sift through information carefully to find the truth. Misinformation will always exist, but our duty is to rise above it,” she said.
NUJ: Journalists, Not Bloggers, Safeguard Truth
In a keynote contribution, Philip Nwosu, Vice Chairman of NUJ Lagos Council, stressed the difference between professional journalists and unregulated bloggers.
“Journalists are governed by ethics, editorial oversight, and accountability. Bloggers operate without rules, publishing from their phones directly to social media. They can be as dangerous as moving bombs in society,” he warned.
He reaffirmed that NUJ remains committed to continuous training, digital literacy, and legal education for its members, while advocating against restrictive laws that could curtail press freedom.
Health Insurance Spotlight: LASHMA Packages for Journalists
At the event, Mr. Dare Musa, Assistant Divisional Coordinator, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), presented affordable health insurance plans for individuals, families, and seniors.
Highlights included:
Individual Standard Plan: ₦50,000/year with 15 days hospital admission and basic eye care.
Individual Standard Plus: ₦40,000/year with 25 days admission, private wards, and expanded benefits.
Family Package: ₦55,000/year covering a family of four with full maternity care.
Senior Plans: ₦60,000/year for individuals over 60; ₦100,000/year for couples.
Musa explained that all plans cover drugs, tests, hospital admissions, and access to both government and private hospitals for 12 months.
Awards and Recognition
As part of the ceremony, the Correspondents’ Chapel launched its first official magazine and presented commendation certificates to NUJ leaders and long-standing supporters.
Commended were:
Comrade Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman, NUJ Lagos Council
Comrade Tunde Olalere, Secretary
Comrade Olajide Awosanya
Dr. Adeola Ekine, former NAWOJ Chairperson
The awards also honoured corporate organisations, faith-based leaders, and NGOs for their contributions to journalism, national development, and social responsibility.
Notable recipients included: UBA, Access Bank Plc, Ruzu Herbal Bitters, Lapo Microfinance Bank, Corporate World Entertainment CEO Ayodele Richard Makun (AY), Mountain of Fire General Overseer Dr. Daniel Olukoya, Betty Abah of CEE-HOPE, Aare Olusegun Daramola, Chief Akinwunmi Peter Akinfenwa, Dr. Larry Jones-Esan (London Academy Business School), Dr. Okunagwu Olisaemeka (All Flavours Foods), and H.E. Amb. Dr. Marshall Jonathan.
Journalists as Guardians of Truth
Wrapping up, Joshua Uloko, Chairman of the Planning Committee, described the award ceremony as a recognition of “mentors, institutions, and organisations that continue to stand by the truth.”
The overarching message of the 2025 NUJ Lagos Press Week was clear:
Journalists must defend truth against digital-era misinformation.
Ethics, accuracy, and fact-checking remain the cornerstones of journalism.
Society needs professional journalism more than ever in an age where fake news travels faster than facts.
