29/08/2026
Community Radio Journalists Dominate Liberian Cohort Graduating From Nigerian Media Academy
By: Howison Abraham Woah
Contributing Writer
ABUJA, Nigeria — Eight of the 12 Liberian journalists who graduated Wednesday from the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) in Abuja, Nigeria, are practitioners from community and independent radio stations, highlighting the growing emphasis on professional capacity building within Liberia’s community media sector.
The journalists were among 13 international students—12 from Liberia and one from Ghana—who completed a five-week intensive professional development program at the Nigerian media academy.
The training was sponsored by the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, as part of an initiative aimed at strengthening the professional and technical capacity of Liberian media practitioners.
According to WABMA Dean of Students Felix Okoro, 68 students completed the five-week program. Of that number, 22 graduated with distinction, 35 with upper credit, seven with lower credit, and four with pass grades.
Okoro said the students underwent both theoretical and practical training designed to prepare them for the changing demands of the media industry.
The coursework included journalism and communications, video, photography and audio editing, media administration and entrepreneurship, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) communications.
Presenting the graduates to WABMA Rector Dr. Ken Ike Okere, PhD, Okoro said the students had fulfilled the academic requirements necessary for the award of their certificates.
He urged the graduates to view their certificates as a starting point for continued professional development.
“Your certificate is not the end of your learning. Wherever you find yourself, use your skills to inform, educate, entertain, inspire and contribute meaningfully to your community and the development of Africa’s media industry,” Okoro told the graduates.
Rector Calls for Technology-Driven Journalism
Delivering his address, WABMA Rector Dr. Ken Ike Okere encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to strengthen the media industry in Africa.
He also urged them to keep pace with emerging technologies and remain mindful of their responsibility to the public.
“At WABMA, we don’t give certificates of completion. You must pass before you are satisfied,” Okere said.
The Rector expressed appreciation to Senator Karnga-Lawrence for sponsoring the Liberian journalists and indicated the academy’s willingness to partner with her office to provide additional professional training for journalists in Liberia and Nigeria.
Senate Pledges Continued Support
Representing Senator Karnga-Lawrence at the ceremony, Press Attaché Roland Solomon Glay reaffirmed the Senate Pro Tempore’s commitment to supporting media capacity building.
Glay conveyed the Senator’s willingness to facilitate further collaboration between WABMA and Liberia, including a possible visit by WABMA officials to Monrovia to conduct professional media training.
“The office of the President Pro Tempore is ready to work with you for your extension in Liberia,” Glay said, conveying the Senator’s message to the academy.
The sponsorship comes amid continuing efforts to provide professional development opportunities for journalists, particularly those working in community and independent media, where access to specialized training can be limited.
Liberian Embassy Applauds Initiative
Also speaking at the graduation ceremony, Kansualism Berk Kansuah, Minister Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Liberian Embassy in Abuja, praised Senator Karnga-Lawrence for investing in the professional development of Liberian journalists.
Kansuah, who led a delegation from the Embassy to the ceremony, said targeted investments in journalism training are important to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting public accountability and developing a more skilled media workforce.
The five-week program exposed participants to contemporary media practices, including AI communications, public relations, video and audio editing, and media administration & entrepreneurship.
The training combined classroom instruction with practical skills intended to improve newsroom operations and strategic communication.
Community Radio Journalists Among Graduates
Of the 12 Liberian participants, eight are journalists or media practitioners affiliated with community and independent radio stations, while others work within the Senate’s media and communications structure.
Two participants—Fatu Abigail Kamara of OK FM in Monrovia and Howison Abraham Woah of Peace FM in Harbel, Margibi County—were nominated by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL).
Other participants selected through the Office of the President Pro Tempore include Korries Karnga, Legislative Reporter at Truth FM; Alexander Musa, Station Manager at Radio Dukpa in Buchanan; Hogkins Tokpah, Programme Director at Radio Wee in Grand Bassa County; Alexander Gargar Piah, Reporter at Radio Gbehzohn in Buchanan; and Zahn Dehdyugar, News Director at Magic FM in Buchanan.
Others are Darius Zoryea, News Director at Ableejay Media; Roland Solomon Glay, Press Attaché in the Office of the President Pro Tempore; Richard Henry Fallah, Assistant Press Attaché; Patrick Saah Sulloe, Photographer; and Blame Vashti, Multimedia Officer in the Senate Media Office.
Tour in Abuja, Nigeria
As part of the training, the Liberian Journalists visited the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) popularly known as Radio Nigeria-Africa largest radio network, the National Assembly of Nigeria (The Senate), ARISE NEWS, SilverBird TV & Rhythm FM studios in Abuja, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the National Assembly of Legislative Aides training in Abuja, Nigeria among several other areas.
The Press Union of Liberia in its July 22 release, commended Senator Karnga-Lawrence and her media office for supporting the initiative, describing the partnership as an important step toward strengthening the capacity of independent and community radio journalists, as well as media and communications personnel within the Senate.
The Union said it remains committed to building partnerships with national, regional and international institutions to improve the quality, professionalism and ethical standards of journalism in Liberia. It also reaffirmed its intention to expand and institutionalize journalism and media education, including efforts toward establishing a specialized journalism school in Liberia.
