Next Gen Intern’s Diary: A Flood of Lessons

My diary opens with a difficult chapter: the flood disaster that overtook more than 70% of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The Aluo Dam flood disaster left countless people stranded, many unable to access emergency camps set up by the Borno State government due to limited resources. Some had no choice but to sleep on rooftops. It took over three weeks for the floodwaters to finally recede, and the impact of this tragedy on our city remains profound.

I was stationed at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) Radio and TV station for the Next Gen Internship Programme. During the first month, there was an High Impact Professional Training Workshop, a three-day event that kept me engaged with interviews and writing reports. Held by the Centre for Gender Studies at Bayero University Kano (BUK) New Site, this workshop focused on skill-building for engineers in academia, MDAs, and industry.

Fridays are dedicated to Islamic programming and recorded prayers on air, so I usually take a break from the internship’s broadcast activities on those days—unless there’s editing work to be done. But Saturdays are my time to shine again with the Saturday Sports Drive Show, where I cover everything from grassroots news to international sports. Taking the audience through the latest highlights and in-depth analyses is a thrilling part of my weekly routine.

Sundays are my official break from the internship, giving me a chance to rest. The internship schedule at the radio station keeps me on my toes, with constant research and fact-checking on current affairs to present on our weekly Facts of the Nation (also known as State of the Nation). Topics range from political to social issues, and we always select those that are most engaging and impactful for our audience, aiming to educate, entertain, and inform.

Outside the station, I had the chance to cover an event by the Nigeria Bottling Company, titled “#Youth Empowered,” in Kano. It was a rewarding experience to network with media professionals from other organizations and discuss the broadcast industry.

Lastly, I occasionally step in as a Duty Continuity Announcer (DCA) on Thursdays when staff are unavailable. It’s a challenging and exciting role that requires my best on-air presentation from 8:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m., after which the Hausa language programming takes over. This experience has been a valuable opportunity to improve and learn more about broadcast journalism as I wrap up my first month and look forward to October 2024.