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From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Gombe State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has trained 100 journalists on effective environmental and climate change reporting as part of efforts to strengthen climate advocacy and sustainability communication.
The one-day workshop, held at the Gombe International Hotel, focused on equipping journalists with practical knowledge to report climate resilience, land restoration, and environmental governance. The training forms part of ACReSAL’s strategy to build community awareness and accountability around environmental challenges.
Speaking during the event, the Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, emphasized that responsible and impact-driven journalism is critical to Nigeria’s climate adaptation efforts.
He said, “Journalists are central to our mission of restoring degraded land and promoting sustainable practices. By reporting accurately on our interventions, the media helps communities understand the importance of climate resilience and policy accountability”.
Dr. Jauro commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for creating an enabling environment for the media to thrive, describing the administration’s environmental agenda as a reflection of global climate priorities. He further revealed plans to introduce a State Environmental Journalism Award to recognize exceptional reporting that promotes sustainability and climate resilience.
Representing the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Ethical Orientation, Mr. Richard James described the training as “visionary and timely,” stressing that effective environmental communication is key to building public consciousness around sustainable development.
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“The media has the power to influence behaviour and policy. When journalists understand the science behind climate change and environmental degradation, they become agents of transformation,” he stated.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Council, Comrade Faruk Muazu, hailed ACReSAL’s collaboration with the press as a model for institutional synergy, urging more agencies to invest in media capacity development.
He said, “This partnership bridges the knowledge gap in environmental reporting. Our members are now better equipped to produce informed stories that promote climate resilience and accountability”.
Also speaking, Mrs. Adaline Waye, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), encouraged journalists to integrate environmental education into their reportage to support public enlightenment and national climate objectives.
Meanwhile, some participants interviewed expressed gratitude to ACReSAL and NUJ for the opportunity, pledging to intensify coverage of climate-related issues, land restoration projects, and community-based adaptation efforts.
The ACReSAL project, supported by the World Bank, the Federal Government, and participating states, is designed to combat land degradation, promote sustainable agriculture, and enhance climate resilience in semi-arid regions of Nigeria. According to the project, investing in media training, position the journalists as strategic partner in the journey toward environmental sustainability and climate-smart development.
