The air crackles with anticipation as Lagos’ army of grassroots storytellers prepare for their most spectacular convergence yet. In exactly twelve days, the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria in Badagry will transform into a vibrant hub of media brilliance as Conference 57 Chief Press Secretaries host their Valedictory 2025 and Induction ceremony – an event already being dubbed the “Oscars of grassroots journalism.”
This isn’t just another professional gathering. Themed “Ink, Lens & Legacy: A Media Farewell,” the two-day extravaganza promises to be equal parts knowledge exchange, victory lap, and torch-passing ceremony. Imagine the scene: veteran wordsmiths who’ve shaped local narratives for years standing shoulder-to-shoulder with incoming storytellers, all united by their mission to amplify Lagos’ grassroots heartbeat.
The program reads like a media professional’s ultimate wishlist – thought-provoking lectures that will sharpen pens and lenses, a gala night where off-the-record stories will flow as freely as the cocktails, and certificate presentations that will etch names into Lagos’ communication history books. But the real magic might happen during the beach cruise and tour visits, where relationships forged in press rooms and council secretariats will deepen against Badagry’s picturesque shoreline.
What makes this gathering particularly poignant is its dual nature – a farewell to outgoing media warriors whose bylines and camera shots have defined local governance reporting, and a welcoming embrace for the new generation picking up the baton. The awards segment will undoubtedly spark both nostalgia and inspiration as career-defining works receive their long-overdue flowers.
For anyone who believes in the power of community storytelling – whether journalist, communication strategist or local government enthusiast – August 22-23 at ASCON represents unmissable theater. This is where Lagos’ often-unsung media architects will remind everyone why grassroots narratives matter just as much as front-page headlines. The countdown has begun, and one thing’s certain: when these masters of ink and lens gather, magic happens.
