Locked Doors and Blackouts: How My Final Month at ABS Prepared Me for the Realities of Journalism by Abigail Mbah

On the morning of 19th July, I walked into the station ready to start the day as usual. I was already thinking about the stories we would work on. When I reached the news film office, the key got stuck in the keyhole. We turned it gently, pulled it, and tried everything we could, but it would not move.

We called the attention of the managers several times but got no positive response. Hours passed, and the door stayed firmly locked. It was frustrating because we had work waiting and deadlines approaching. The whole day passed with no access to the office and no work done. In the end, we had to roll over the previous day’s bulletin for the next day’s broadcast. It felt like starting the week on the wrong foot.

The next day things were still the same. The door remained locked until 4 pm. By the time it finally opened, we were already far behind schedule, and everyone was anxious.

Once it opened, everyone moved fast to catch up. The energy in the room changed immediately.

We worked under serious pressure, editing and re-editing the stories just to have something ready for air.

Phones were ringing, people were calling for updates, and the clock was not on our side. A news bulletin meant for 7.30 pm eventually aired too late, but we were proud we didn’t miss it completely.

Those two days tested my patience, but they also showed me how the team comes together when things do not go as planned.

People shared ideas, covered for each other, and kept encouraging one another. That unity mattered more than the delay.

Earlier in the month, we faced another difficult situation.

There was a power outage, and the solar could not charge well because sunlight was not enough that day. Then the generator developed a fault and stopped suddenly in the middle of work.

Our systems shut down with some work still unsaved. For a few minutes, the whole newsroom went quiet.

To keep the computers running, the station turned off all the air conditioners and other things that were not necessary. We connected the solar again and continued from where we stopped.

The heat in the room became too much, and the systems shut down a second time.

My heart sank a little, but luckily our files had been saved in the local drive, so we did not lose everything. We simply took a deep breath, cooled down, and picked up and kept going.

That day taught me to always save my work and to stay calm when plans fall apart.

Even with these challenges, my third month brought steady progress. I now handled more stories on my own, and my supervisors trusted me with complete segments.

I communicated better with the reporters and producers, and I could think ahead to avoid small delays. I started noticing details I used to miss before, like timing, flow, and how to make a story clearer.

The fast-paced environment no longer felt strange to me. Instead, I found myself staying calm during tight situations and focusing on what needed to be done first.

As the final month of my internship comes to an end, I look back and see how much I have grown.

From a beginner who only observed to someone who can step in during difficult moments, this experience has shaped me in many ways. I have learnt the true meaning of teamwork, resilience, and attention to every detail. The challenges did not break me. They built me.

I feel grateful for every day at Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). The tough times and the good ones have all taught me valuable lessons about media work and about myself.

I met people who corrected me, guided me, and believed in me.

I am leaving with more confidence, more skills and a stronger passion for this field. I now know I can handle pressure, adapt quickly, and still deliver.

I look forward to using everything I have gained as I move forward into the next chapter.