Chevron Nigeria Limited CNL, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory, FCT Council, has empowered journalists in the Council with digital skills.
The programme is to enhance the capacity of journalists in promoting good governance.
The initiative is a testament to the organisations’ commitment to fostering a well-informed and engaged citizenry, essential for the country’s democratic growth and the oil sector.
The training designed to equip journalists with the necessary digital tools, aimed to bridge the knowledge gap in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
The General Manager of Policy Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn who spoke at the training in Abuja, Nigeria, restated the company’s commitment to developing human capital and supporting the media to enhance their professional capacity.
Represented by the Manager of Communications, Victor Anyaegbudike, Brikinn appreciated journalists for their impactful role in re
porting on the oil and gas industry, providing effective perspectives on the sector’s complex operations.
He said ‘media practitioners are key stakeholders in the development of the oil and gas sector.’
Brikinn explained that ‘Through initiatives such as the Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) program, CNL has been actively involved in capacity building for media practitioners. In collaboration with the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, the program has benefited over 120 journalists since its inception in 2014.’
He noted that CNL also partners with NUJ to organise capacity building programmes that involve an increasing number of journalists in Lagos, Delta, and Abuja, respectively.
‘By the end of this year, this initiative would have benefitted over 180 media practitioners bringing the total to over 300 journalists who have participated in the CNL -sponsored capacity building programmes,’ Brikinn said.
He said it ‘backs Nigeria’s local content development by employing Nigerians and contracts wor
th an average estimate of over $1 billion annually.’
According to Brikinn, the company also contributes to the sustainable development of host communities in a significant way.
The Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists, Abuja Council, Mr. Osaretin Osadebamwen while appreciating Chevron said; ‘the training will no doubt contribute to the development of journalists and even the art of Journalism development in Nigeria.’
‘This is no doubt an immense contribution to the development of journalists and even the art of Journalism development in Nigeria,’ he said.
He underscored the importance of
embracing realities that come with new technologies and the opportunities that abound in it.
‘With the advert of the Digital age, it is essential for us to explore these tools for the benefit of our profession and we are grateful for Chevron Nigeria for the 2024 sponsorship of this programme, like it did last year. At the NUJ, we believe it is critical to ADVANCING our skill set in the business of news gathering and r
eporting.
‘Our desire is to ensure that you are well equipped with this trend and harness the opportunity for yourselves and national development,’ Osadebamwen affirmed.
Some of the journalists trained shared their experiences with Voice of Nigeria.
The Publisher of The Fact Daily, Mr Etuka Sunday said ‘the training was insightful and deepened his knowledge on Digital and Social Media reporting, fact checking, ethical consideration as well as privacy law in reportage.’
Also, a Journalist from Voice of Nigeria, Mrs Gloria Essien described the training as ‘impactful.’
She said that ‘the knowledge acquired from the training would go a long way in improving her story writing abilities.’
‘The world is evolving and journalism is no more what it used to be. We have to go with the trends by learning new ways of writing stories using social media to stay relevant in our chosen field,’ Mrs Essien said.
The training tagged ‘Digital Tools As Opportunity In Promoting Good Governance’ featured lectures on Data Journ
alism and Social Media Reporting, Digital Rights and the Public Good and Understanding the New Media and the Power of Trends among others.
Participants were drawn from the print, electronic, and online media houses in the FCT.
Source: Voice of Nigeria