2023: International Press Centre, European Union organize workshop for female candidates

The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria in conjunction with the Institute for Media and Society (IMS) within component 4 (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase II (EUSDGN II) project will be organizing workshops for female candidates contesting in the 2023 Nigeria general elections

Penpushing reports that, Communications Officer Component 4 (Support to Media) EUSDGN II Project, Olutoyin Ayoade made this known in a statement adding that the workshops would hold  on the 12th and 13th December 2022.

The said trainings will take place in Osogbo and  Port-Harcourt concurrently, ,adding that the European Union( EU) funded training will equip 60 candidates from the southern parts of Nigeria on advanced strategic communication and media engagement.

Penpushing further reports that, Ayoade explained that in addition the trainings will focus on the use of conventional and online/social media during political processes and campaigns, stressing that the workshops will present the selected female candidates the opportunity to interface with journalists, share their views, expectations, and experience from the perspectives of women in politics.

The Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC) Mr. Lanre Arogundade in the same vein noted that, Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of women participation in the continent with a 4.1% parliament representation.

“In terms of female political representation, Nigeria has one of the lowest rates in the continent with a 4.1% parliament representation. That is why tactical workshops like these are necessary to support women in politics which inherently promotes credible elections”,he said.

Penpushing also reports that, Arogundade affirmed that International Press Centre ( IPC) is essentially building on the attainments of the first phase of the EU-SDGN project, in which ten women who participated in the  International Press Centre(IPC) capacity building workshops for female politicians were elected to political offices across the Country.

‘The workshop will also draw from the lessons learnt from subsequent engagement with the elected female politicians in terms of implementing post-election activities and capacity support” Arogundade added.

Penpushing reports that, he explained that, a team comprising Mr. Samuel Egbala, The Nigerian Chronicle, Calabar and  Vice President, East, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Uduak Obeten, CRBS and Mr. Sunny Dada, Director of Programmes – African Centre for Media, Governance and Peacebuilding will address various topics.

The statement said the topics include “Female candidates: Cultivating the Media and Building Relationships for increased visibility”, “Female Candidates: Building Self-Confidence and Maximising the Potentials of the Broadcast Media for Increased Visibility” and “Leveraging on Social Media and Online Channels for Maximum Visibility for Female Candidates”.

Penpushing further reports that, the resource persons for Osogbo workshop, Jadesola Ajibola, who is Chairperson of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ),Oyo State Chapter and Monday Ashibogwu, Managing Editor, Quick News will make presentations on similar topics.

The statement added that, International Press Centre(IPC) in subsequent trainings will expand the initiative to female candidates in the Northern states, explaining that the specific objective of the EU funded programme is to ensure that, the media, including new and social media, provides fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of the electoral process.

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