In its effort and deliberate commitment to build the capacity of the people engaged in technology communication, the Plateau State Information & Communication Development Agency (PICTDA) in collaboration with Devrock Global Communications Ltd have organized a two-day intensive capacity building training on Strategic Communication for Bloggers in Plateau State which held at Steffans Hotel Jos 2nd & 3rd February, 2021.

In his address at the event, the Director General of the Plateau State Information & Communication Development Agency (PICTDA), Mr. David Daser hinted that the training was meant to assist the Bloggers utilize their potentials and platforms for the common good of the State.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the proliferation of unhealthy and fake contents which have adversely affected people and the State.
He urged the participants to draw government attention on issues that will grow the State.

Mr. Daser also expressed his readiness to partner with the Bloggers in other beneficial avenues.

Plateau State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Hon. Dung Musa Gyang underscored how vital Bloggers are to the State and said government will partner with them to achieve greatness for the collective interest of the State.

The General Manager Plateau Radio Television Corporation, Mr. Jeptha Jackden commended PICTDA for hatching the idea and bringing it to fruition to empower the Participants who in turn will impact the State positively. He said Bloggers are influencers than can change the society for good. He said there is need for synergy to give direction to the society.

The Commissioner of Information and Communications, Hon. Dan Manjang on his part lauded the initiative and appreciated the Bloggers for their impact to the State and urged them to engage in development communication. He said government will continue to entertain constructive criticisms and urged the participants to take part in moving the State to enviable height.

The Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Makut Simon Macham posited that the society has changed on account of technological advancement. He said the social media should be use for constructive engagement for national growth and development.
He charged Bloggers to publish contents that will spark and promote societal growth.

Dr. Simon Bloggers called on Bloggers to give all level playing ground with objectivity, absence of bias and high sense of professionalism.

The Participants were charged to place premium on the common good of the society above their personal interests, promote equity & justice and know they owe the society a duty of sanity to moderate and regulate the media space.

Chairman of Plateau Bloggers & Online Media Association (PBOMA), Cmr. Friday Bako appreciated PICTDA for organizing the training and said the it will build their capacities and improve them for optimal performance. He said they will put what they learnt to practical use for the common good of the society. He posited that the group will continue to work towards changing the negative narratives about the State and its battered image to the outside World.

The Participants were trained on wide range of topics which include; how to become a strategic communicator, Social Media Ecology, Communication for Development, Social Responsibility and Agenda Setting, How imperative effective Science & Technology Public Relation is to National Development, Bloggers Space/Traffic/Traction/Direction, Niche Scooping; Minsinformation & Disinformation; Proactive, Responsive & responsible coverage and Bloggersphere & Governance.

Mr. Solomon Kwakfut of Devrock Global Communications Ltd, Dr. James Ashiekpe and Herbert Daniel Gomagallah were the Resource Persons.

Certificates were issued to the 20 Participants at the end of the training.

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Plateau State Information & Communication Development Agency (PICTDA) Train Bloggers on Strategic Communication