Media Literacy: Group, UNESCO, Japan train youths

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Light-up Africa Development Initiative (LADI), has organised two-day capacity building workshop on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Integration into Youth Policies and Programmes, with a call on need to include it in youth policies and programmes so as to positively affect national development.

Penpushing reports that, the workshop was in collaboration with the United Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Abuja, and the Government of Japan,  while it was also observed the need to fight fake news.

The organisation’s Project Support Officer, Daniel Nwaeze said the workshop was needful at such a time when fake news and other information disorder have taken centre stage in the country and already causing division.

Penpushing further reports that, Nwaeze said, the organisation felt that youth organisations can also be at the forefront in helping to build capacity of others on Media and Information Development Literacy, adding that  the participants are expected to carry on the workshop through step down trainings in their local communities or organisations.

The Coordinator, UNESCO University Network on Media and Information Literacy and Inter-cultural Dialogue in Nigeria, Dr Olunifesi Suraj said there was need for integrating Media and Information Literacy (MIL)  into youth policies and programmes .

Penpushing also reports that he said this was important because it gives direction and helps to identify rules of engagement, adding that that it was paramount to educate the youths as they remain the voice to push for its establishment through their various organisations with relationships actors.

“The youth have the drive and energy, it is helpful to prepare them mentally, especially those already leading in the development sector, to be the voice of the voiceless, to be the voice that can articulate ideas that can shape how they are being governed and or how government govern the people.”

Penpushing reports that, a participant Oluwabunmi Ajao  who won a digital camera prize, haven made an entry for a call for #MILCreative by the organisation, said the workshop was timely as the havoc being brought about by fake news and misinformation are getting deeper and even more worrisome.

The winner of a television for the same entry, Precious Ajunwa who was also a participant, said all well-meaning Nigerians should take part in fighting misinformation and disinformation for the purpose of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion

Penpushing further reports that, the workshop was packed with lectures on topics such as ‘Towards an MIL Policy for Youth Organisations’, ‘Creative Writing’, ‘Teaching Your Stories With Animation’, ‘Understanding the Media Space in Nigeria’, ‘Experience Sharing’, ‘Facts  vs  Misinformation and Disinformation’ to mention but a few was supported by the Japanese Government

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