NGE, Imo Govt, UNICEF Engage Editors On S-East, S-South Challenges

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), in collaboration with UNICEF and Imo State govern­ment, is organising a two-day workshop to strengthen the me­dia’s role in driving regional de­velopment.

The programme, which is holding in Owerri, the Imo State capital, between October 23 and 24, 2024, according to a statement signed by the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba and the General Sec­retary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Thursday, underscored the media’s vital role in spotlighting the socio-economic, political and environmental challenges in Nige­ria’s South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.

“The 50 participants at the workshop are senior editors and media executives drawn from print, electronic, and online me­dia, alongside the Guild members employed by governments across the nine states of the South-East and South-South zones of Nigeria.

“Faced with a complex set of socio-economic and environmen­tal challenges, including high levels of poverty, infrastructural deficits, environmental degrada­tion, and socio-political conflicts, we strongly believe that the media has the capacity to play a vital role in mitigating the socio-economic and environmental challenges by raising awareness – informing the public about pressing issues; am­plifying marginalised voices, and providing information on social services, policies, and programs”, the editors added.

Commending the Imo State government and the UNICEF for collaborating with the NGE on the project, the professional body of editors and media execu­tive in Nigeria explained that the media’s impact in socio-economic and environmental issues is huge, which include influencing public opinion and policy; mobilising community action; providing a platform for marginalised voices; facilitating dialogue and debate and holding power holders ac­countable.

According to the editors, “The media can robustly engage the challenges through collaborative reporting; data-driven journal­ism; social media engagement; investigative journalism and solutions-focused reporting.

“By adopting these strate­gies, the media can effectively contribute to addressing the so­cio-economic and environmental challenges.”

The workshop, which will be chaired by a renowned mass com­munication scholar and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Paul University, Awka, Prof. Stella Okunna, ac­cording to the NGE, will feature presentations by experts and stakeholders.

“The workshop is expected to equip participants with enhanced skills in engaging and reporting on the socio-economic and en­vironmental challenges in the region.

“It will also empower them to create narratives that address the needs of vulnerable popula­tions- particularly children- and collaborate with UNICEF and other stakeholders to spotlight child-focused issues that when addressed, can improve overall regional development outcomes”, the statement added.

With a theme titled, ‘The Media as Partners in Regional Development’, the Guild said the Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, will declare the work­shop open, while NGE President and the Head, UNICEF Office in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate are as co-hosts of the event.