In a bid to strengthen press clubs in secondary schools and promote media literacy among young people, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, on Thursday organised the 2026 Secondary School Media Literacy and Journalism Quiz Competition in Abuja.
At the end of the keenly contested exercise, Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja, emerged the overall winner after defeating Cedar Hall Academy, Lugbe, 8–6 in a dramatic tie-breaker, following a 205-point draw at the end of the second round.
In the first round of the competition, Government Senior Secondary School (GSS) Garki scored 70 points, GSS Gwarimpa scored 80 points, Cedar Hall Academy, Lugbe, recorded 95 points, while Beautiful Beginning Academy led with 115 points.
At the conclusion of the second round, GSS Garki scored 40 points, GSS Gwarimpa secured 80 points, Cedar Hall Academy earned 110 points, and Beautiful Beginning Academy recorded 90 points, resulting in a tie between the two leading schools before the final tie-breaker.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NUJ-FCT Council, Grace Ike, said the initiative was designed to mentor young people on the workings of the media while reviving and strengthening press clubs in schools across the Federal Capital Territory.
She commended the participating students for their impressive performance and encouraged teachers to sustain activities within their school press clubs.
“Teachers, please organise your press clubs and, once in a while, host events and invite the NUJ-FCT Council; we will come,” she said.
According to her, the competition would further promote media literacy, mentorship, creativity, and community engagement among students in the FCT.
“The NUJ-FCT Council will continue to create opportunities that empower young people and promote educational and media-related activities within our schools,” she added.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Press Clubs and Vice Chairman of the NUJ-FCT Council, Yahaya Ndambabo, described the programme as a reflection of the council’s commitment to promoting journalism, responsible communication, and intellectual development among young people.
“The NUJ-FCT Council remains passionate about strengthening press clubs in our schools. Through these clubs, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, communication skills, confidence, leadership qualities, and an interest in journalism and public affairs,” he said.
Representatives of the Secondary Education Board, teachers, and other stakeholders in the education sector attended the event.
Students who spoke after the competition described the initiative as impactful and timely, noting that it was the first media literacy quiz competition of its kind they had participated in.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards and cash prizes to the winning schools by the NUJ-FCT Council Chairman, Grace Ike.(The Greenland news)
