Oil producing giant Chevron Nigeria Limited has trained 30 members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council on Monday in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Theme; ‘ Enhancing Business and Economy: The Role of the Media’ which was unbundled into four categories was the focal point of the training.
In his welcome Address, Mr.Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council welcomed participants to the training.
“It is a great pleasure and our sincere gratitude that the Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited has volunteered to sponsor this laudable training programme to widen our horizon of business and economy of the nation.
“This training is coming at a very auspicious time that the economy of the nation and business climate is undergoing rejuvenation. It has, therefore, become imperative to collate all shades of opinion, views on how to bring the Nigerian economy back on track and on a sound footing” Ajayi explained.
The NUJ Chairman reiterated the need to reposition and transform Nigeria’s economy for businesses to thrive and for the good of all.
“The Management of Chevron no doubt is passionate about the transformation of the nation’s economy and I am sure this is one of the reasons why this training programme is being organised.
“ Experts are worried about dwindling oil prices, unstable exchange rate, imports and exports regimes, stock market and the need for appropriate budgeting” Ajayi said.
Meanwhile, Mr.Esimaje Birikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited who was represented by Joy Emeghara commended journalists for generating content that informs, educates and enlightens the society.
He commended media professionals for being agenda-setters and opinion moulders.
“I want to thank you for your impactful role in reporting the oil and gas industry and providing effective perspectives to the complex industry operations.
“We will continue to partner with the media for the development of the society. In this light, we also recognise the need for capacity building of the media practitioners to enhance their capacity to perform their duties.
“We also contribute to the sustainable development of communities where we operate”, he said.
Participants who were drawn from Conventional, Print and online media had a robust time, as Resource persons took them through topics such as Reshaping Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Industry: Role of the Media, Marine Economy and Harnessing the Nation’s Potentials: The Media Perspective, Understanding and Interpreting the Budget as well as Money & Capital Markets In Transforming the Economy: The Media Perspective.
At the end of the training, participants lauded Chevron Nigeria Limited for investing hugely in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria, while calling on Chevron to do more in the local communities.
The Training also demanded transparency and accountability in the oil, gas and solid minerals sectors.
Lagos Journalists lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for unbundling the ministry of Transport, while urging Mr,Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to engage multi-national companies operating in Nigeria’s maritime sector to engage indigenous shipping companies and not operate chartering arrangement with foreign ship owners.
Participants also advised the government to invest in maritime tourism, maritime security and capacity development for seafarers.
They further tasked fellow journalists to scrutinise past budgets estimates to be sure that previous provisions are not embedded in the current budget, adding that journalists must probe project costs to help check whether the capital projects estimate tally with the cost of such projects in other countries.
Chevron Nigeria Limited was highly commended by participants for deeming it fit to extend its capacity building programme to members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, in spite of the dwindling resources at a time like this.
The participants, therefore, urged other multi-nationals to take a cue from Chevron Nigeria Limited by investing in capacity development for journalists in Lagos State.