2019 election: How International Press center trained over 40 Journalist from Northern Nigeria in Kano

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos

Training and development can be described as an educational process which involves the sharpening of skills, concepts, changing of attitude and gaining more knowledge to enhance the performance of employees .

As the 2019 general election draws closer ,the International Press center recently trained over 40 Journalist from the Northern part of Nigeria on best practices and professional reporting of the electoral process .

Our correspondent also reports that the workshop also serve as out-of-newsroom school for participants with practical sessions that enabled participants to collectively agree on the priority citizens’ issues .

The International Press Centre (lPC) Lagos-Nigeria is Nigeria’s foremost media resource centre dedicated to building media capacities for democracy and development.

Our correspondent reports that IPC’s core thematic programmes covers Elections, Democracy and Good Governance,Open government, Anti-corruption, Transparency and Accountability, Freedom of Expression, Journalists Rights/Safety and Media Independence,Research, Monitoring and Publishing;Investigative journalism, use of ICT and new media’;Community Journalism, Peace building and Voices to the Vulnerable

IPC also envisions a Nigerian and African media that serves as major catalyst of development.

The workshop funded through component 4b,support to the media of the EU support to Democratic Governance of Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project seek to build a professional media as catalyst of Democratic accountability ,credible elections and good governance .

Speaking at the two day workshop for Journalist which took place on Thursday October 18 and Friday October 19, 2018 at TAHIR GUEST PALACE HOTEL: Ibrahim Natsugune Road, Nassarawa GRA, Kano, the Director of the International Press Center (IPC) Lagos Nigeria Mr Lanre Arogundade who was represented by Stella Nwofia ,the Program Manager said the workshop was aimed at building a professional media as catalysts of democratic accountability, credible elections and good governance as well as building the capacity of journalists to commit to professional, conflict-sensitive, citizen-focused, and gender-focused.

Dr Arogundade thanked media partners who contributed to the development of the media code of ethics.

Six papers were presented at the training , four on the first day and two on the second day, by different speakers on critical aspects of covering and reporting the electoral process

A media Professional and Member, Editorial Board of the Guardian Newspapers Mr. Martins Oloja who spoke at the training called for the need for ethical revolution in the Journalism Profession .

Mr. Oloja who presented a titled ” Legal and Regulatory frameworks for reporting elections: The pitfalls to avoid said that, the 2019 elections is going to be a unique one, while he advised the Journalists to advance from news writing to Contextual reporting.

He also enjoined Journalists to adhere to the ethics of the Pen Profession, and ensure self discipline, which according to him integrity is the most valuable attribute that no one should leave his/her home without it.

Also speaking, Prof. Umar Pate of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano urge Journalists to desist from allowing themselves to be used by desperate Politicians and adhere to the principles of conflict sensitivity reporting among others.

He presented two papers on Conflict Sensitivity and avoiding hate speech as major imperatives in reporting 2019 elections, while the other one was on Post-elections: paying attention to the issues of democratic accountability.

Director, International Society of Media Mrs. Moji Makanjuola,MFR,who also presented a Paper titled ” Factoring development, Social and human interest issues into election reporting in nigeria, appealed to the Journalists to always be gender balance in their reportage by promoting Women in Politics.

Most of the participants in an interview described the workshop as timely and very useful, especially as the 2019 elections is around the corner and commend organisation.

In a related development the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria on Tuesday condemned the attack on Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt correspondent of Leadership Newspaper who was reportedly assaulted by a soldier on Thursday, 1st November, 2018.

According to Report by Vanguard Newspapers, “Anayo was assaulted at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, by a soldier believed to have been drafted from the Presidency on the day President Muhammad Buhari visited to commission the International Wing of the airport.”

In a statement signed by Melody Akinjiyan ,Program Officer/Safety Desk Officer of IPC reads Anayo who was hospitalized as a result of the injuries sustained from the attack, has been discharged but still ill and nursing pains.”

IPC Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said, “Journalists are professionals carrying out their duties as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We find this situation unacceptable and condemn a situation where security operatives attack journalists.”

“We therefore call on the military authorities to probe this attack and allow the perpetrator to face the consequences of his actions, Arogundade said.