NAWOJ, American Space Bauchi train 25 female journalists on Virtual Communication

From  Paul Orude Bauchi

The Nigeria Women of Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State chapter, has organised a one-day training on modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools for 25 members to collect, process and transmit news effectively.

The training, carried in collaboration with the American Space, Professor Iya Abubakar Resource Centre, Bauchi, held on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

In her welcome remark, the state Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs Rashida YusuF Mohammed, thanked participants and resources persons for responding to the invitation.

Rashida Mohammed explained that the aim of the training was to empower female journalists to effectively carry out their jobs using modern tools

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“It’s necessary for women journalists to be conversant with these modern tools in their work in the era of technology,” she stated.

 “We cannot do our work effectively without engaging with these modern tools hence the decision to organize this training and we are happy that the American Corner supported us”

She assured that more trainings would be organised to empower members.

“I appreciate the support and cooperation of those invited for coming and actively participating in the training, this is encouraging” she said.

 “Most of them were unaware of what was done today so I urge them to put what they have learnt into practice to improve their work.

“We were highly motivated with the participation of one of the American envoys via Zoom who discussed a lot of beneficial activities in terms of culture, tourism among others

“By next week another training is slated for members on the female child and women”

The NAWOJ Chairperson appeals to stakeholders to support the association to champion the cause of women.

A participant, Hajia Halima Ibrahim Gimis, described the training as crucial and timely.

“It was a short training on IT programmes where female journalists can  effectively engage with social media platforms and participate in zoom meetings  and so on to move with time,” Gimis, a former National Officer of NAWOJ, said.

 “Around this part of the country, a lot of us are comfortable with the traditional way of writing stories but things have changed with the coming of ICT.

“If you don’t take ICT seriously then,  now you have to because the world is now a global village

“It’s either you move with the change or the tide of change will sweep you aside”

Gimis, a former Director, Programmes, Bauchi State Television (BATV), commended NAWOJ for organizing the training.

She hoped more trainings would be organized by NAWOJ to empower members to stand out.

“I am happy to say that we have learnt a lot and this training is really an eye opener and timely because female journalists have to move with the time”

Another participant, Hajia Fati Isa Baba, said she was excited to be part of the training.

“The present NAWOJ executive is doing well because this is what is expected of a good leadership,” Baba, a former Bauchi State Chairperson of NAWOJ, stated.

 “With the present situation globally it is important to educate women journalists on such issues so that they can compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

“The world has become a global village and the more you equip yourself technologically the more you are able to communicate effectively to your audience”

Baba, a former National Assistant Secretary and two-time Zonal National Vice President of NAWOJ, said such trainings would give female journalists in the north a platform to communicate with their counterparts across the globe.

“It has really empowered me to reach out to more people world-wide,” she said.

“Women journalists are voice of the voiceless so it is important they know their job.

“A woman is a star, a mother, a wife, and so on and it is the female journalist that will give the impression of how a women is expected to behave and she must be equipped to do so”

Nasiru Umaru Launi, Director of American Space, Bauchi, said the training was not the first.

“We have been working with them for so many years and they are part of what we do,” he said.

“NAWOJ promote what we do therefore the need to go with them need not be overemphasized

“What we did today was how to take advantage if the virtual platforms in order for them to rise up to the challenge that is faced globally.

“Distance is one of the challenges, fuel subsidy has come up to add more pressure, and therefore virtual platforms can play greater role in enabling them to communicate locally, nationally and internationally”

Launi said the subject for the training was something that was trending

“If you are a professional, there will be a time you will be directed to join a zoom or what have you,” he added.

“We have seen it during the COVID-19.

“The participants really embraced it and have risen to the challenge.

“We will continue to engage them until we have a sizable number in term of harnessing what ICT has to offer in terms of virtual communication”