Following a one-day orientation programme for all newly recruited staff members of PUNCH on Monday, 26 May 2025, the PUNCH Immersion Training Programme (PITP) commenced. PITP, a collaboration between PUNCH Media Foundation and PUNCH Nigeria Limited, is a skill-honing initiative targeting new editorial staff across the print, digital, and multimedia platforms of PUNCH Newspapers.
To set the tone for the intensive training, a seasoned media trainer and lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mrs. Maureen Popoola, led a practical session titled Mastering the Elements of News Reporting. She asserted that journalists are the true newsmakers, as they shape how news is framed and perceived by the public. Accordingly, she urged participants to pay close attention to detail, noting that this not only strengthens the foundation of their reports but also enhances their potential to drive meaningful impact.
Complementing this, Dr. Oladimeji Ramon, News Editor at PUNCH Newspapers, and Dr. Olatunji Ololade, Associate Editor at The Nation, stressed the importance of clarity over verbosity. They encouraged participants to embrace storytelling that is both authentic and accessible, using their individual voices to communicate compelling narratives.
Also, Mr. Wale Fatade, Commissioning Editor at The Conversation Africa, underscored that journalism is ultimately about people. He emphasised the journalist’s role in consistently delivering stories that resonate with audiences, which requires attentiveness to everyday realities, a commitment to continuous reading, and the skill to tell nuanced stories with emotional depth.
Continuing on the theme of journalistic excellence, Mr. Emeka Madunagu, a visiting member of the PUNCH Editorial Board, highlighted the importance of professionalism. He noted that journalists must carry themselves with dignity and intelligence, particularly when dealing with very difficult sources. According to him, impactful journalism is rooted in ethical relationships with contacts – built on tact, respect, and emotional intelligence.
Another critical aspect of the training was the session on PUNCH Style Guide. This provided the participants with a clear framework on the editorial standards unique to the PUNCH brand. The session was co-facilitated by Messrs Tunji Abioye and Samson Folarin, editors of The PUNCH and PUNCH Weekend Titles (comprising Saturday PUNCH and Sunday PUNCH), respectively. Abioye walked participants through the editorial rules outlined in the Style Guide and encouraged them to leverage artificial intelligence tools to support their work – while remaining guided by PUNCH’s policy on responsible AI use. Folarin added that since AI is here to stay, participants should actively explore its many applications in journalism.
Building on this foundation, Mr. Obafemi Obadare, Chairman of the PUNCH Editorial Board, facilitated a session on editorial writing, offering real-world examples of how PUNCH editorials are conceived and crafted. From brainstorming and research to internal consultation and final composition, he emphasised the meticulous process involved, noting that editorials shape how the public perceives the organisation.
Participants also benefited from a session on the craft of headline writing, led by Mr. Ademola Oni, PUNCH’s immediate past General Manager, Digital and Publication. He described headline writing as a lifelong craft and offered practical tips to help participants craft headlines that capture attention and reflect the essence of their stories.
Beyond house style, the training also strengthened participants’ communication skills through a dedicated session on the use of English for journalists. Facilitated by Mr. Akeem Lasisi – a journalist, teacher, and performance poet – the class tackled common grammar pitfalls, such as the correct use of reported and direct speech, the subjunctive mood, stative verbs, articles, uncountable nouns, and apposition. Lasisi’s session was not only engaging but also enlightening, with hands-on exercises that addressed common errors and their corrections.
Other insightful sessions during the first week of the PITP focused on key areas of journalism practice. Mrs. Bolanle Ojo, Assistant Manager at PUNCH Legal Services, facilitated sessions on the legal and ethical dimensions of journalism. Mr. Dipo Kehinde, Founder of NewsmakersNG and publisher of Chief Detective magazine, led a session on exclusive reporting. Mr. David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor at Africa Check, took participants through the importance of research and fact-checking. Meanwhile, Mr. Seyi Olufemi, Insights and Research Lead at Dataphyte, took participants through a hands-on session on data visualisation in journalism.
As the first week of the PITP wrapped up, participants expressed satisfaction with the depth of insights shared by the facilitators and the quality of the modules covered. They noted that the sessions had enriched their knowledge and sharpened their skills. With high expectations, they looked forward to the second week of training.
