By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Nigeria Women of Journalists (NAWOJ), Ebonyi State chapter, has organised a one-day training on reporting women economic empowerment and information management in nation building.
The training, carried in collaboration with the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ASCPN) and the Development Research and Project Center (DPRC), held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Sam Egwu Press Center, Abakaliki brought together female journalists from various media organizations in Ebonyi State.
The Vice President of ASCPN South East,Prof. Ifenyinwa Nsude explained that the primary goal of the training was to enhance participants’ skills in reporting news related to economic empowerment and information management, with a focus on contributing to nation-building.
She expressed her joy at the partnership with NAWOJ, emphasizing that the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria would continue to collaborate with them.
Prof. Nsude also commended Mrs. Nkechi Oginyi, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, and encouraged journalists to stay updated through workshops and seminars.
“I’m very happy that most of you are doing very well,” she said. “I want to thank the convener, the host, and her team for making this event possible. ASCPN Ebonyi State wishes you a very successful outing.
” As the chairman pointed out earlier, this period is an opportunity for journalists to seek workshops like this to update their knowledge. We are pleased that you have initiated this, and we hope it continues this way. Next time, ASCPN will be ready to partner with you.”
Prof. Nsude revealed that there are ongoing plans to attract international organizations to support NAWOJ’s initiatives in Ebonyi State.
NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs. Nkechi Oginyi, highlighted the vital role that women play in nation-building and society. She emphasized that when you empower a woman, you’re strengthening a nation. However, she expressed concern that some families still neglect the education and development of female children.
“Many families prefer to train their male children while the female ones are ignored,” she added. “But we all know that women who are properly taken care of excel in their endeavors.
“Women like Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, Professor Stella Okunna, Professor Ifeyinwa Nsude, the state Deputy Governor Patricia Obila, Mrs. Joseph Elechi have all made the state and nation proud, demonstrating that a woman is an asset.
“Gone are the days when women were only good in the other room. Therefore, women should be empowered to continue to make our society proud.”
During the training, the Commissioner of Pollice, Augustina Ogbodo represented by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gloria Agbo discussed safety tips for journalism, while Dr. Agatha Orji-Egwu, Head of Department of Ebonyi State University’s Mass Communication Department, represented by Mrs. Happiness Nworie, spoke on the role of information management in nation-building.
Earlier, Comr. Samson Nwafor, who served as both the Chairman of the occasion and the NUJ chairman, commended the Nigeria Women of Journalists for pioneering the training in the state.
He emphasized prioritizing the training and retraining of journalists to enhance professionalism.
Some of the participants, including former Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Mrs. Veronica Oshim and Chief Press Secretary to the First Lady of Ebonyi State, Nnenna Oshimbe, expressed their appreciation to the organizers of the training. They stated that the training had enhanced their skills in news reportage about economic empowerment and information management.
“Writing or reporting issues concerning women is a significant way to improve any society,” they noted. “What we’ve gained from this training is the importance of conducting more research on women’s empowerment, especially in sectors that can enhance the status of women in our society. This is a crucial aspect for female journalists to focus on.”
Highlights of the event included goodwill messages from notable figures, including the Commissioner of Information, Hon. Jude Okpor, the Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, and ALGON Chairman, Chief Ogodali Nomeh. The participants also had the opportunity to ask questions during the program.