REPORTER’S DIARY: From Spectator to Accidental Fellow
By Adisa Balkis Omotayo
I first heard about the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship from my father, who explained its focus on developing young communicators and the opportunities it offered. I was immediately interested and registered, only to discover later that the fellowship was designed for graduates, while I was still an undergraduate.
The disappointment was sharp; I had hoped to participate fully in the training and experience everything the programme had to offer. Yet, as often happens, one closed door led to another opening. Preparing to begin my internship, I decided to join PRNigeria, and that decision unexpectedly placed me close to the fellowship. I was not a fellow, but I was not entirely a spectator either. I became what I jokingly call an accidental fellow.
The fellowship began on Monday, September 7, 2026, at PRNigeria’s Ilorin office. The fellows arrived and the training commenced, and although I was not officially part of them, I quickly realised that being present meant I could learn almost as much as those seated at the fellows’ table. That first day, the Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchant Promotion Limited, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, introduced the fellows to contemporary issues in public relations. Listening to him gave me a new understanding of communication: it was not just about writing or speaking, but about grasping people, institutions, and contexts, and knowing how to communicate effectively with different audiences.
Later, the fellowship coordinator, Mr. Zekeri Idakwo Laruba, anchored sessions on communication in the digital age and presentation skills. Though I sat apart, I listened carefully and took away lessons that I knew would serve me during my internship and in my future career.
On Tuesday, September 8, I arrived at the office to find vehicles being arranged. The fellows were heading to the Emir’s Palace for a courtesy visit, and I joined them. That visit was memorable, offering lessons in culture, tradition, and community relations.
Afterwards, we proceeded to Emirate FM, where we were introduced to the organisation’s operations and given a tour of the facility. Seeing broadcasting from behind the scenes was eye-opening; it reminded me that communication is not confined to classrooms but is best understood in practice.
Back at PRNigeria, the fellows had a session on media writing and reporting techniques led by the Deputy Editor, Mr. Mahmud Abdulsalam. As someone preparing for an internship in communication, I found the session particularly relevant. It showed me that good communication requires not only having something to say but also knowing how to gather information, structure it, and present it accurately.
By Wednesday, September 9, I was asked to move my chair closer to the fellows’ table. It may sound small, but for me it was significant. Suddenly, I was no longer watching from a distance; I was part of the learning experience. That day, we were taught public speaking by Adams Adebisi, a former fellow. His session reinforced the importance of speaking confidently and connecting with audiences, skills that complement writing. We also received a book, “The Art of Policing Lagos,” authored by fellowship alumni, which reminded me that learning continues through reading and research. Meals provided throughout the week created further opportunities for interaction and networking, proving that fellowship was as much about relationships as it was about lectures.
Thursday, September 10, brought a session on personal branding in the social media era, led by Luqman Basheer, an alumnus and team leader of the 2024 cohort. That session particularly caught my attention because social media has transformed how people build professional identities. Today, a communicator is judged not only by academic qualifications but also by what they say, share, and represent online. The lesson was clear: if you want to work in communication, you must manage your own reputation as carefully as you communicate an organisation’s message.
Friday, September 11, began with a book review of MNIPR versus MNIPSS in NIPSS by Alhaji Yushau Shuaib. After Jumu‘ah prayers, we returned for a session with Professor Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi of the University of Ilorin, who spoke on public relations and the five principles for establishing and sustaining trust. Her lecture tied together the week’s lessons. Communication, I realised, is ultimately about trust. Whether for government institutions, private organisations, media platforms, or individuals, people must have confidence in the information being presented to them.
Looking back, I see that my initial disappointment about not qualifying for the fellowship was unnecessary. My internship gave me a front-row seat to the programme. By observing, listening, and participating when opportunities arose, I gained lessons equal to those of the fellows. I learned about public speaking, teamwork, branding, media practice, and relationship-building. I also discovered that learning can be formal or informal, through lectures, visits, conversations, or even games. One memorable moment was a Q&A competition organised by Alhaji Shuaib. I joined a group, competed alongside the fellows, and even won a small cash prize. That lively session showed that learning can be fun, interactive, and unforgettable.
I may not have been an official fellow, but for one week, I lived the fellowship experience. I applied, was deemed ineligible, joined PRNigeria as an intern, and became an accidental fellow. And in that role, I learned every step of the way.
Adisa Balkis Omotayo is a 400-level Mass Communication student at Kwara State University, Malete, and currently an intern with IMPR.
