The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has organised a media capacity-building workshop in Abuja aimed at equipping journalists with tools for accurate and compelling reporting on public sector challenges and reforms.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has organised a media capacity-building workshop in Abuja aimed at equipping journalists with tools for accurate and compelling reporting on public sector challenges and reforms.
The training, themed “Amplifying Impact: Strengthening Public Sector Narratives Through Journalism”, brought together journalists from various media houses to explore how the media can better shape narratives around governance, transparency, and effective service delivery in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Programmes at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Chioma Njoku, underscored the media’s pivotal role in driving social change.
“The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation recognises the crucial role of the media in promoting narratives around governance, transparency, and effective public service delivery in Nigeria,” she said.
Njoku explained that the training was designed to enhance journalists’ storytelling abilities, with a focus on highlighting public sector reforms through a solutions-oriented lens.
“We aim to strengthen journalists’ skills in telling impactful stories and promote a journalism style that showcases success stories and best practices,” she added.
One of the facilitators, Dr. Nicholas Igwenagu, Deputy Director at the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Abuja, stressed the importance of solution journalism. He described it as rigorous but vital in creating public awareness and prompting societal action.
“The media are not doing enough impact stories. Journalists need to report on issues that directly affect people,” he said.
“Impact stories are about digging deep into matters like economic and tax reforms. These stories offer solutions and go beyond the regular reporting. Every story has a pointer, whether it’s a news report or a feature. Impact journalism requires identifying problems, diligent fact-finding, and sourcing firsthand information.”
Also speaking at the training, Lady Ejiro Umukoro, Director of Training and Development at LightRay Media, delivered a session on “The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining the boundary between public relations and core journalism.
“While PR stories have their place, the media must write them professionally to avoid sounding patronizing,” she said.
Umukoro also challenged journalists to reflect deeply on their use of language and storytelling ethics.
“Your knowledge of language is key. That is why anybody who depends on ChatGPT—I’m sorry for that person—because if you don’t understand language, you are going to be very horrible when it comes to writing stories. Language is very powerful,” she remarked.
On navigating bias and perception in journalism, she urged journalists to examine the truths they present in their reporting.