Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu Usman, has urged female journalists to harness social media for impactful storytelling that drives societal change.
He made the call at a two-day capacity-building workshop for 30 members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi chapter, held at the American Corner, Professor Iya Abubakar Community Resource Centre.
Usman said participants were expected to generate at least two development-oriented story ideas, emphasising the need to leverage digital platforms to enhance reporting.
Representing the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the Senior Special Assistant on Communication, Abdulwahab Mohammed, said the state government recognizes the contributions of female journalists despite challenges such as safety concerns, underrepresentation, and limited access to training. He noted that the workshop would strengthen their capacity in digital innovations.
NAWOJ Chairperson, Rasheeda Yusuf, said the training focused on Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools for storytelling, especially in reporting Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She commended the government for its continued support.
During technical sessions, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi lecturer, Hassan Alhaji Hassan, spoke on mobile journalism, stressing adherence to media laws and the flexibility of mobile reporting in producing authentic multimedia stories.
Also, the NHRC State Coordinator, Yachit Dala, outlined the challenges of reporting GBV and urged journalists to prioritize survivors’ rights, dignity, and best interests while using advocacy to influence policies and legislation.
Goodwill messages came from FRCN Zonal Director, Dahiru Mohammed; Chairman, Bauchi Media Corporation, Inuwa Mohammed Bello; NUJ Bauchi Council representative, Salisu Bala Halliru; Globe FM General Manager, Alkassim Bala; NTA Bauchi’s Fatima Isah; and former NAWOJ Chairperson, Elizabeth Kah, all of whom emphasized the importance of capacity building and global best practices in journalism.
By Lizzy Carr
