Media Trust Group hosted fellows of the PR Nigeria Young Communication Fellowship, giving them a two-week intensive exposure to the workings of one of Nigeria’s leading media houses.

The visit included tours of editorial offices and interactions with senior reporters and editors to bridge classroom theory with practical newsroom experience.

The Group CEO of Media Trust, Malam Ahmed I. Shekarau, was represented by Deputy Editorial Director Hamza Idris, who said the company commended PR Nigeria for sustaining the initiative despite economic challenges.

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He explained that the fellowship bridges the gap between university learning and newsroom realities, noting that participants would experience the fast pace of news production, editorial judgment and media innovation.

“What you learn in class is important, but what you see here is the reality of journalism,” he said.

He added that the fellowship is connecting “town and gown” while giving participants practical takeaways, including published articles and certificates.

Mohamed Dahiru Lawal, Head of Fact-Checking, Investigations, and Special Projects at PR Nigeria, said the programme selects 10 participants in Kano, Ilorin, and Abuja for training in journalism, public relations and media innovation.

Abdullateef Salau, Daily Trust News Editor, told the fellows that public interest must guide every story, stressing accuracy, balance and avoiding ethnic profiling.

“Your loyalty is to the people. Public interest must guide everything you write,” he said.

Responding to a question by fellow David John Idiong, Salau said journalists must check and recheck facts before publication.

“Whatever you publish must be verified again and again,” he said.

Hamza Idris added that reporters are first accountable to humanity and should approach all stories professionally, avoiding sentiment while promoting peaceful coexistence.

Idris also noted that participants’ diverse academic backgrounds mirror newsroom diversity and ensure balanced reporting.