The President Nigeria Association of Women Journalists Ms Kadi Bala in a picture with the Executive Dircetor, International Press Centre (IPC) Mr Mande Arogundade, during the two-day skill enhancing and capacity building and monitoring session for female Journalists, organized by IPC in collaboration with NAWOJ, held in Abuja.
The President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ms. Ladi Bala, has urged female Journalists to be in the vanguard of promoting women issues.
Ms. Ladi stated this during her opening remarks at a two-day training for female Journalists in Northern Nigeria held in Abuja, organized by International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with NAWOJ.
NAWOJ President explained that the training is aimed at exposing participants to the effective tools of countering fake news, disinformation and misinformation, gender inclusiveness and discouraging gender marginalization in the electoral process and after the elections.
She also stated that as the 2023 general election draws near, the media must redirect its focus, particularly on its reportage and the consistency if women must go far.
According to her, “the media as the watch dog of the society and the practitioners as information managers have a crucial role to play in the leadership recruitment process in our great nation.
“As we all converge on Abuja, it is apt to point out that this is the second leg of the training in our deliberate determination to enhance the capacity of Women Journalists in Nigeria.
“The International Press Centre had earlier conducted similar training first week in November, for Women Journalists in South East, South South and South West geo- political zones in Port Harcourt.
“This training is aimed at exposing participants to the effective tools of countering fake news, disinformation and misinformation.
“It is a known fact that advancement in information technology and the emergence of several social media platforms have come with the challenges of disinformation, misinformation and fake news.
“From the foregoing challenges, providing accurate and verifiable information to help promote sane society is a task that must be upheld by Journalists in the country.
“In the light of this, the need to scrutinize and fact check information has become
highly imperative.
“The Media and Journalists must strive to get it right by setting the right agenda for gender inclusion and persons with disabilities in the process.
“As Women Journalists, let us be in the vanguard of promoting women issues,
gender inclusivity and discouraging gender marginalization in the electoral process and after the elections.
“It is on this note that I appeal to participants to utilize the opportunity and learn new skills and better ways of telling the gender based stories.
“Kindly open up yourself for new ideas and skills that will help you stand out and
promote peaceful electoral process and good governance.
She however commended the International Press Centre, EU and funder of this training under the EUGDC project for investing in the building of strong democratic culture and institutions that enhances conduct ofa free, fair, credible and acceptable election in Nigeria.