Bauchi State Ministry of Information and Communication in collaboration with Nawoj engages women journalists to a Capacity Building programme on improved digital skills

The Bauchi State Ministry of Information and Communication, in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Bauchi State Chapter, has organized a one-day capacity-building workshop for 30 women journalists on mobile journalism and emerging media technologies.
The training, held at the American Space, Professor Iya Abubakar Resource Centre in Bauchi, focused on equipping participants with modern digital reporting skills, including the use of mobile tools, artificial intelligence, climate reporting, and gender-sensitive storytelling.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Alhaji Usman Shehu Usman, stated that the initiative was aimed at equipping female journalists with relevant digital skills to enhance professionalism and competitiveness in the media industry.
He said the training was organized to empower female journalists with modern techniques in journalism to improve their work, noting that women are often left behind in the media sector, hence the need to bring them forward.
Alhaji Usman emphasized the importance of women’s active participation in all media organizations, and assured that his office remains open and committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the capacity of women journalists.
He added that since assuming office, one of his top priorities has been the training and retraining of journalists to align with global best practices.
The Commissioner encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the training by engaging with the facilitators and applying the knowledge gained to their work.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Media to the State Governor, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that raise journalistic standards and promote gender equity in the media space.
In goodwill messages, media executives including the General Manager of Eagle Radio Bauchi, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Bello, the General Manager Globe FM Bauchi, the General Manager of NTA Bauchi, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Bauchi State Council, Comrade Umar Sa’idu, described the training as timely and essential for improved journalism.
They urged participants to share their experiences with colleagues in their respective media organisations to maximize the impact of the training.
The resource persons from the Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Malam Hassan Alhaji Hassan and Dr Bello Beli Madaki, advised the participants to uphold ethical standards in digital news reporting.
They stressed that journalists must distinguish themselves from social media influencers by adhering to the core principles of factual, balanced, and responsible journalism.
Earlier in her welcome address, the NAWOJ Chairperson, Hajiya Rashida Yusuf, described the training as a significant step toward closing gender gaps in the journalism profession.
She said the workshop was designed to introduce women journalists to innovative tools and methods, including the use of artificial intelligence, climate change coverage, mobile storytelling, and reporting on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence SGBV, noting that the initiative will go a long way in changing the narrative and amplifying the voices of women in the media.