The West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) has graduated participants of its Q3 Long-Term Professional Courses at a ceremony held at its Abuja campus, marking a significant milestone in the Academy’s expanding international training profile.
The ceremony was particularly significant as 12 media aides from the Liberian Senate participated in person in the five-week programme at WABMA’s Abuja campus. Previously, international participants had largely attended WABMA programmes virtually. The Liberian delegation was sponsored by the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga- Lawrence provided the participants with an opportunity to engage directly with Nigerian media professionals and expand their professional networks.
In his address, the Rector of WABMA, Dr. Ken Ike Okere, commended the participants for their commitment and diligence throughout the programme. He urged the graduands to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in their professional roles, emphasising that the true value of training lies in its practical application beyond the classroom.
He specifically encouraged the Liberian participants to return home and uphold WABMA’s reputation through improved professional performance and by demonstrating the knowledge and skills acquired during their five-week stay in Nigeria.
The presence of the Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria, represented by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Kansualism Berk Kansuah, added a diplomatic dimension to the ceremony and further underscored the strengthening relationship between WABMA and the Liberian Embassy.
Mr. Kansuah commended the Liberian media aides for their discipline and exemplary conduct throughout their stay in Nigeria. He noted that some members of the delegation distinguished themselves academically by passing several courses with distinction.
He also expressed appreciation to the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate for sponsoring the 12 media aides to participate in the professional development programme, describing the initiative as an investment in strengthening the capacity of Liberia’s legislative media team.
In his remarks, the Team Lead of the Liberian delegation, Mr. Roland Glay, conveyed the appreciation of the President Pro Tempore to WABMA for the quality of training and exposure provided to the participants.
He noted that feedback from the participants, together with the delegation’s visits to major Nigerian institutions and media organisations, including the National Assembly, Radio Nigeria, Silverbird Television and Arise TV, demonstrated that WABMA had exceeded expectations.
According to him, the experience provided the Liberian media aides with valuable insight into Nigeria’s media and legislative communication environment.
He disclosed that the President Pro Tempore was pleased with the outcome of the programme and had indicated her willingness to sponsor additional participants for WABMA’s Q4 programme scheduled to commence in September 2026.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of WABMA, Mr. Mike Yawe, described the Q3 graduation as a particularly memorable milestone in the history of the Academy.
He said the physical participation of international students in an intensive five-week programme had opened a new chapter for WABMA and demonstrated the Academy’s growing capacity to attract participants from across the continent.
Mr Yawe reminded them that “the certificate you receive today is not the destination. It is the beginning.”
He urged them to apply their training effectively in their respective workplaces.
“Practice what you have learnt. If you learnt to communicate better, let people see it in your communication. If you learnt to write with clarity, let your writing demonstrate it,” he said.
Yawe described the graduands as Ambassadors of WABMA, stressing that their professional performance after graduation would serve as the strongest endorsement of the Academy.
“Let your competence advertise WABMA. Let your professionalism advertise WABMA. Let your integrity advertise WABMA,” he charged.
He further encouraged the Nigerian graduands to use their enhanced skills to add value to their organisations and urged the Liberian participants to return home as worthy ambassadors of both Liberia and WABMA.
The Executive Director expressed appreciation to the Liberian Senate, the Liberian Embassy in Nigeria, the faculty, staff, facilitators, partners, friends and families who contributed to the success of the Q3 programme.
The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to successful participants simultaneously across the three WABMA campuses with goodwill messages and testimonies from the graduands, before concluding on a celebratory note.
The Q3 graduation represents another step towards WABMA’s vision of becoming a regional centre of excellence for practical media, communication and professional development, while fostering knowledge exchange among media professionals across Africa.
Signed:
Mike Yawe
Executive Director
West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA)
