Ogona Anita
Welcome to this auspicious flag off of this Capacity Building Workshop for female journalists in Nigeria.
As a start, I crave your indulgence to permit me to begin by thanking God Almighty for making this training a reality.
Today is a dream come true for NAWOJ particularly our Rivers State Chapter. I particularly feel fulfilled that the long walk of determination, commitment and concerted efforts has birthed the desired result.
The Executive Director of the International Press Center, Mr Lanre Arogundade will now heave a sigh of relief that the engagement with NAWOJ is finally here giving the constant dialogue, insistence and engagement on the need for capacity building of women journalists in addition to getting NAWOJ involved in this and other activities.
IPC being one of the leading capacity building organizations for Journalists in the country, has proven to be gender sensitive and always supporting NAWOJ. We appreciate your efforts and concern towards the upliftment of female journalists in the country and to quickly add that I personally want to say a BIG THANK YOU to IPC and of course the European Union (EU), for investing in the development of Nigeria society and media professionals in particular.
This workshop funded through component 4b: Support to the media of the EU support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria 11 project, was the response to NAWOJ’s several engagements with the EU development partners that eventually approved its Media partners to work with us.
This feat is indeed a mile stone achievement. This is so because it is the first time NAWOJ is being officially recognized and engaged on an EU funded project through its media partners in Nigeria .
This laudable effort of EU is commendable and a clear testament of its commitment in building a strong and virile media space that will go a long way to strengthen democracy and promote good governance.
The gesture is well appreciated by NAWOJ.
The media as an integral part of the society with unique and sensitive roles to play on many fronts for development will be further enhanced with these available training and retraining of professionals.
As the conscience of the society, people depend heavenly on the media for the right information to help them understand and make better and more informed opinion and positive contributions towards shaping a better society. That way, the society will be better served based on correct decision making and implementation of enhanced action plan.
It should be noted that with globalization of the media space through information technology, enhancing the capacity of practitioners, particularly journalists to be in tune with global best practices has become Germain if the media is to get it right.
This training therefore, is aimed at exposing female journalists to the rudiments of effective reportage and mentorship preparatory to reporting the electoral process.
As we move closer to 2023, the critical role of the Journalists in the conduct and promotion of peaceful electoral processes in Nigeria is key and must not be handled carelessly.
It is on this note that I appeal to participants drawn from the South-east, South-south and the South-west of the country to utilize the opportunity and learn new skills that will improve their capacities and enhance the quality of news reports.
Journalists must rise to the occasion of protecting and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy in the build up to 2023 general elections.
The training is a promise made and fulfilled for NAWOJIANS.
Once again thank you IPC for the consideration and a big thank you to our members for attending.
EWR-NOTE: This is a REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF NAWOJ COMRADE LADI BALA AT A TWO DAY TRAINING FOR FEMALE JOURNALISTS IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE ON 7TH NOVEMBER 2022.
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