Beautiful Beginning Academy Clinches NUJ-FCT 2026 Media Literacy Quiz Title in Dramatic Tie-Breaker
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja, on Thursday emerged winner of the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council Secondary School Media Literacy Quiz Competition after defeating Cedar Hall Academy, Lugbe, 8–6 in a tense tie-breaker finale held in Abuja.
The two schools had ended the second round with an equal score of 205 points, forcing a dramatic decider that eventually crowned Beautiful Beginning Academy champions of the competition organised to promote journalism, media literacy and the revival of press clubs in secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory.
The event, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, featured four schools including Government Senior Secondary School (GSS) Garki, GSS Gwarimpa, Cedar Hall Academy Lugbe and Beautiful Beginning Academy.
The report was contained in a statement issued after the event, while the awards and prizes were presented by the NUJ-FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike.
Speaking during the competition, Ike said the initiative was designed to mentor young people on the workings of the media and encourage schools to strengthen their press clubs.
“Teachers, please organise your press clubs and, once in a while, host events and invite the NUJ-FCT Council, we will come,” she said.
She noted that the exercise would help promote media literacy, mentorship and community engagement among students in the FCT.
“The NUJ-FCT Council will continue to create opportunities that empower young people and promote educational and media-related activities within our schools,” she added.
In the opening round of the contest, Beautiful Beginning Academy led with 115 points, while Cedar Hall Academy scored 95 points. GSS Gwarimpa secured 80 points, while GSS Garki recorded 70 points.
At the end of the second round, Cedar Hall Academy scored 110 points while Beautiful Beginning Academy earned 90 points, leaving both schools tied at 205 points overall before the eventual tie-break victory by Beautiful Beginning Academy.
Earlier, the Vice Chairman of NUJ-FCT Council and Coordinator of Press Clubs, Yahaya Ndambabo, described the programme as part of the union’s broader commitment to promoting journalism and responsible communication among students.
“The NUJ-FCT Council remains passionate about strengthening press clubs in our schools,” Ndambabo said.
“Through these clubs, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, communication skills, confidence, leadership qualities, and an interest in journalism and public affairs,” he added.
Representatives of the Secondary Education Board, teachers and other stakeholders attended the event, while participating students described the competition as a unique and rewarding experience.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards and cash prizes to the winning schools by the NUJ-FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike.
