A multimedia journalist with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, Salis Manaja, has regained freedom ten days after his abduction by gunmen.

Manaja was abducted on Wednesday, October 13, while travelling to Ilorin to participate in the annual Young Communication Fellowship programme organised by IMPR.

His release was confirmed by the Founder of IMPR, Mallam Yushau Shuaib, who spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the fellowship’s closing ceremony weekend in Ilorin.

Shuaib said the victim had since reunited with his family after the ordeal.

“He was on his way to Ilorin when the unfortunate incident happened. We thank Almighty Allah that he has been released and reunited with his family,” Shuaib said.

According to him, Manaja’s colleagues became alarmed when he failed to arrive in Ilorin for the fellowship and could not be reached as his phone line was switched off.

Shuaib used the opportunity to urge young communicators to remain steadfast in telling positive stories about Nigeria despite the country’s challenges.

“No matter the situation in the country, journalists should always champion democratic advancement, ensure proper narratives, and prioritise fact-checking in their stories,” he said.

He lamented that social media was gradually overshadowing professional fact-checking, stressing that IMPR’s training programmes were designed to equip young people with the right skills to use technology responsibly.

“During the week-long training, participants interacted with experts from America and Germany through virtual platforms, thanks to facilities provided by NITDA at our training centres in Ilorin, Kano, and Abuja,” he added.

Shuaib encouraged Nigerian youths to make the best use of the facilities available at the PRNigeria Centres to enhance their ICT and artificial intelligence capabilities in line with global trends.

Also speaking, Professor Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, commended the graduands for demonstrating the zeal and professionalism required to excel in media and public relations practice.

The PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship is an annual capacity-building programme organised by IMPR to train emerging journalists and communication specialists.

So far, 20 young journalists have been trained in Kano and Ilorin, while another 10 are expected to undergo (Daily Trust)