Saturday, November 29, 2025 will remain a day of combined joy, fond memories, pride and reflection for Comrade Grace Ike, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, as she was delightfully and gracefully honoured with an “Excellence in Media Leadership and Advocacy Award” by the School of Communications and Media Studies, Learn To Live Business School UK (LLBSUK).
The prestigious Award marked a major highlight of the institution’s 2025 Post-Graduate Program awards ceremony, which featured graduands from Cohort 1 and Cohort 2.
The event, held amid an atmosphere of celebration and professional fulfilment, attracted media Scholars, Practitioners, and families of the graduating students.
Among the proud graduands were Mrs. Funmilayo Evelyn Akintola, Gloria Ikiba, Arith, Yecenu Joyce Sasetu, and several others who successfully completed the rigorous academic programme.
Presenting the Award, former Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Chairman AFIA Television, Chief Emeka Mba, who handed over the Award to Comrade Ike, described her as a Trailblazer in Media leadership whose work continues to influence national discourse.
Mba noted that Grace Ike’s years of advocacy, mentorship, and unwavering defence of press freedom, made her a reference point within Nigeria’s media landscape.
He said; “This award recognizes Conrade Grace Ike as an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing the values of ethical journalism, Free expression and responsible media practice”.
In her acceptance speech, Comrade Ike expressed profound appreciation for the recognition and honour, saying that it was both gratifying and humbling.
Ike noted that the Award was a call to deepen her contribution to media transformation and nation-building, saying; “I am delighted by this recognition from the School of Communications and Media Studies”.
According to Ike; “Strategic communication remains central to every sphere of human endeavour and to our national development. We must continue to refine how we tell our stories and how we engage the public”.
While reaffirming her commitment to responsible journalism, Ike pledged to continue championing narratives that rebuild public confidence in the media.
She said; “I will do my best to inspire my people to tell stories that will shape public trust. The media must remain a credible bridge between the Government, Institutions, and the Citizens”.
For Grace Ike, it was yet another milestone in a career defined by advocacy, resilience, and leadership within Nigeria’s vibrant media space.
For the graduands, the ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter, just as many of them expressed excitement at stepping into higher professional roles equipped with new skills in communication strategy, Media ethics, and development reporting—skills that institutions like LLBSUK hope will strengthen the industry in the years ahead.
The climax of the event was the presentation of certificates and awards, group photographs, and networking among academics and practitioners.
