The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has been honoured with the Beacon of Education Award by Beautiful Beginning Academy (BBA) in recognition of her contributions to educational development and youth empowerment.

 

During the ceremony, Ike pledged become a stronger advocate for children living with special needs.

 

The award was presented during the academy’s 2026 graduation ceremony held at Nile University, Abuja, where Ike also delivered the keynote address to graduating students, urging them to embrace character, resilience and service as they pursue success in life.

 

Presenting the award, the Proprietor and Managing Director of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Rosemary Nasa Okolie, described Ike as a compassionate leader whose support had positively impacted the lives of many children, often without seeking recognition.

 

She recalled how the NUJ FCT Council, under Ike’s leadership, rallied support for the school’s participation in a national media quiz competition barely two weeks before the event.

 

According to her, the NUJ chairman went beyond offering moral support by ensuring that the pupils received the welfare assistance and logistics needed to participate effectively, a contribution she said played a significant role in the school’s emergence as the overall winner.

 

“She came in and changed the narrative. There is nothing I can give her that equals what she has done for these children,” Okolie said.

 

The school said the honour was in recognition of Ike’s dedication to educational excellence and her commitment to supporting initiatives that promote learning and youth development.

 

Ike, who said she was unaware that she would be receiving the award, described the recognition as both humbling and a renewed call to service.

 

Holding back tears, she dedicated the award to Adaeze Tochukwu Taha Okeke, a student with special needs whose story she said deeply touched her during the ceremony.

 

“I dedicate this award to Adaeze,” she said.

 

The NUJ chairman used the occasion to pledge greater advocacy for children living with disabilities and special needs, promising to leverage journalism as a tool for inclusion and social change.

 

“I will amplify their voices, tell their stories and continue to use journalism to draw attention to their needs so society can better support them,” she said.

 

She commended Adaeze’s family for their commitment and perseverance, noting that their story serves as a powerful reminder of the need for greater inclusion and equal opportunities for every child.

 

Earlier in her keynote address, Ike challenged the graduating students to see graduation not as the end of a journey but the beginning of a life defined by purpose, character and impact.

 

She stressed that while academic excellence remains important, true success is determined by values and integrity.

 

“The examinations that truly matter are not set by teachers but by life itself. They test honesty, courage, discipline, resilience, compassion and integrity,” she said.

 

According to her, certificates may open doors, but character sustains success and builds lasting legacies.

 

“Knowledge may make you intelligent, but character will make you unforgettable. Long after people forget your grades, they will remember your integrity. Long after certificates gather dust, your reputation will continue to speak for you,” she added.

 

Ike urged the graduates to remain resilient in the face of adversity, noting that setbacks and disappointments are often stepping stones to greater achievements.

 

“There will be days when life will not go according to your plans. You may fail an examination, lose an opportunity, face disappointment or experience rejection.

 

When those moments come, remember this: failure is not the opposite of success; it is often the road that leads to it,” she said.

 

She encouraged the students to cultivate a culture of continuous learning, respect for others and self-confidence, while choosing friendships that support their growth and aspirations.

 

The NUJ FCT chairman paid tribute to parents for their sacrifices and commended teachers and the management of Beautiful Beginning Academy for nurturing future leaders through quality education and mentorship.

 

She challenged the graduates to become problem-solvers and agents of positive change in society.

 

“Success is not measured by how much money you make but by how many lives become better because you lived. Success may fill your pocket, but significance fills your purpose. Service earns respect. Character earns trust. Legacy earns remembrance,” she said.

 

In his remarks, Chairman of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Sir Chinasaokwu Innocent Okolie, urged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the institution, reminding them that the world was waiting for their contributions as future.