100 Ogun state journalists converge on Abeokuta for media re-training

Over 100 journalists practicing in Ogun State on Wednesday converged in Abeokuta, the state capital for a 2-day media training and retreat, a programme sponsored by HIS Nigeria Limited, and organized by Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Penpushing reports that the retreat scheduled between Wednesday and Thursday kicked started with a lecture ‘Understanding Workability of Conventional and New Media: The Pros and Cons’ delivered by Lekan Otunfodunrin founder Media Career

The Chairman Correspondents Chapel Rasaq Ayinla in his welcome address expressed appreciation to the sponsor for considering the training, in view of the fact that journalism started in Nigeria, in Abeokuta

Penpushing further reports that Ayinla explained that the retreat became important having observed overtime that Journalists, especially those working at the outstations lack basic and required reporting skills for finance and economy, telecoms, mining, oil and gas, banking and insurance, law, public administration, community relations, aviation, motoring, among others

‘We are therefore conducting this training for 100 Ogun State-based Journalists to close the perceived gap and of course, for the IHS Nigeria Limited to fraternise and share ideas with Journalists in Ogun State and beyond’, he added.

‘It’s no doubt that Abeokuta leads in good and vibrant journalism and we must maintain the pace for good, unbiased and balanced reportage and newspapering, that is why among us today, we have Publishers and Editors of Newspapers, Magazine and Online News Platforms published and broadcast from Abeokuta as well as Correspondents, Press and Information Officers from the Federal, State and Local Government Ministries, Departments and Agency of Information and Orientation.

Penpushing also reports that the second lecture titled,’Relevance of Financial and Economic News Reporting in Modern Day Journalism. What Journalists and News Analyst Need to Know’, was delivered by Dr Vincent Nawanma9Former Editor Business Day Newspaper

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Ogun State Hon Kayode Akinmade in his goodwill message pointed out that the initiative is commendable meant to empower 100 journalists drawn from the print, broadcast, social media, information departments.

This is about honing and sharpening work skills and instruments, including the mind and its intellectual repertoire, and it is crucially important. The stated objective of this retreat, which is to sharpen reportorial skills in the finance, economy, health, telecoms, mining, oil and gas, banking and insurance, law, governance and public administration and community relations, among others, is quite broad and probably looks daunting, but whichever way, this may easily be dissolved by the quality of resource persons billed to speak at this retreat’

Penpushing further reports that he pointed out that the speakers are highly accomplished individuals who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of operation and have no doubt that they will do justice to the various topics.

‘As we are all aware, Media practitioners in Nigeria face daunting challenges, including those related to career development. Often, there are gaps in the areas of structured mentorship for young reporters, career planning and growth opportunities, digital skills and leadership development’.

‘And there are also issues with financial viability and sustainability, media regulations, especially in relation to new media threats, physical assaults and harassment of journalists on the field; limited protection for journalists, particularly during election coverages among others’.

‘While many of these challenges have to do with the government, media employers and the operating environment, others are in-house issues that can be well handled by media managers and organs such as the correspondents chapel’.

Penpushing also  reports that Akinmade stated that occasions such as this, offer opportunities to reflect on the field of practice, share experience, acquire new skills, drop old, unsustainable habits, and essentially enter into a new world of possibilities.

‘A correspondent who has just acquired new skills is still a correspondent, but his/her story won’t be the same as that of a professional, which has so much years on the job speaking for him/ her. The world is changing and we need to change with it. We all know that today, journalists and media organizations need to be technologically savvy and innovative to stay competitive. Part of the objectives of this retreat is to foster media innovation and creativity’.

Penpushing reports that Legal Director of IHS Nigeria Limited Yemisi Diya-Salawu, in her remarks expressed optimism that the training will motivates the participants to become even more professional in their work, aim for excellence and find fulfilment in it as well.

The Director on brief introduction of the organization explained that IHS Nigeria is part of the IHS Towers group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count.

‘In Nigeria we are the largest communications infrastructure services provider, owning and operating over 16,000 towers and over 15,000 km of fiber optic cables across the country. We see ourselves as Nigeria’s Backbone of Digital Possibilities’, she added

‘As a company, sustainability is at the heart of who we are. We hold strongly that connectivity is a catalyst for socio-economic growth, but it must be pursued hand in hand with sustainability and social responsibility’,Diya-Salawu stated

‘Embedded within our corporate values, it is reflected in every facet of our operations—from powering tower sites sustainably, to nurturing the communities we serve and promoting sound ethical practices throughout our operations’.

‘Our sustainability strategy is delivered across four key pillars:  ethics and governance, environment and climate change, education and economic growth and our people and communities’.

‘Recently we launched our Impact Report for 2023 and 2024 which details the sustainability and community impact activities executed by the company from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024, and demonstrates our commitment to fostering a more sustainable, and prosperous future for Nigeria and Nigerians’, the Director said.

‘We are proud of the ways we have made a difference in the communities we serve and the partnerships we have formed along this path. So, in a nutshell, beyond building sustainable, energy-efficient, and secure infrastructure solutions, we are also very committed to creating conditions for people and communities to thrive today and for generations to come’ Diya-Salawu stated.

‘It is this strong societal impact strategy that has informed our sponsorship of this training today. As a company we recognize the critical role the media plays in society, especially in keeping the citizens informed, deepening democracy and developing all facets of our national life’’, she added.

‘Building the capacity of journalists is thus an important activity in advancing society as a whole. The topics that have been planned for this two-day training which covers understanding and use of new media, legal defence for journalists and financial & economic reporting are very topical and the impressive list of resources persons to lead the conversations gives us confidence that this will be a worthwhile activity for you’, she added.

Penpushing further reports that the Associate Director Sustainability of IHS Nigeria, Asmau Smaila in her contributions presented highlights of the company 2023 and 2024 sustainability report

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