Yobe Govt, NUJ Train Journalists’ On Redefining Journalism Development

Yobe Govt, NUJ Train Journalists’ On Redefining Journalism Development

By Usman Bello, Damaturu

As part of efforts to build capacity of the working journalists in the state, the Yobe State government in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have today in Kano city organized a two day capacity building workshop with a theme ‘Redefining Journalism Development in Yobe ‘. The participants were drawn from the public and private media serving in the state.

In his paper presentation titled ‘The Role of Media in Promoting Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria,’ Dr. Sani Safiyanu spoke on the degree of editorial independence, financial viability, diverse and plural voices and media contribution to good governance.

Another resource person, Dr. Tasiu Magaji from Political Science Department, Bayero University Kano presented a paper ‘The Role of Media in Combatting Corruption and Promoting Transparency in Nigeria’.

He described corruption as the abuse of power for personal gain. “Political corruption is rampant with politicians using their positions for personal gain and engaging in bribery, embezzlement and vote buying. Corruption in political campaigns and during elections undermines the democratic process”.

Speaking on the role of media in combatting corruption, he said journalists act as watchdogs, scrutinizing actions of those in power by exposing the corrupt officials.

Another resource person, Dr. Abdullahi Yahuza lectured on the ethical challenges faced by the Nigerian Media where he took the participants through the roles and relevance of the media.

Declaring the workshop open, Abdullahi Bego, Commissioner Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs Information and Culture congratulated the Journalists for the training and urged them to wake up to the changing times of social media era by digitalizing their work to reach out to larger audience in the society. He also enjoined the respective chapels under the NUJ to be cohesive through putting efforts together for the benefit of the members.

Earlier speaking, the NUJ Chairman Yobe State Council, Comrade Rajab Ismail Mohammed explained that the training workshop is going to be continuous in order to build up the capacity of all the working journalists in Yobe State for improving the productivity of all in informing, educating and enlightening the citizens on the happenings around them.