By Bianca Iboma-Emefu

Associate professor of journalism and director of Digital Media Research Center, Lagos State University, Dr. Tunde Akanni, has enjoined Nigerian journalists to embrace developmental journalism to report several positive innovations that highlight Nigeria’s unique achievements to the rest of the world.

He gave the advice recently in Lagos, at the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop, organised for journalists, with the theme “Emergency and risk communication reporting workshop,” organised by Victim Support Fund (VSF) COVID-19 Task Force.

Akanni said the call for Nigerian journalists to embrace developmental journalism is both timely and essential. Developmental journalism emphasizes the role of the media in promoting social progress, economic development, and community empowerment by focusing on positive innovations and Nigeria’s unique achievements.

He added  that journalists can contribute significantly to a more balanced narrative about the nation.  He said they should seek out and report on individuals, organizations, and communities that are making significant contributions to society.

He said: “Nigerian media can play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of positivity, resilience and innovation, ultimately portraying a more comprehensive view of Nigeria’s potential and achievements to the world.

“Through strategic storytelling and community engagement, journalists can help drive the narrative toward a more prosperous and forward-looking future.”

Akanni stated that the world was in a period of media abundance and media convergence,  hence the need for media experts to strive to put out the right and accurate information.

He stressed that the ICT revolution has enabled everyone with smart phones to report news, events in real time, hence the need for traditional media practitioners to upskill and retool to remain relevant.

He said that several good stories about Nigeria were untold, adding that there is   the need for media experts to push out the correct information to counter negative colonial narratives propelled by ignorance.

“How supportive are journalists to things that can improve  our system. We must recognize the  fact that it is only through the mass media that the  generality of the people can have access to authoritative information that is particularly important in this era,” he noted.

The media expert,  who was the lead lecturer, said that the workshop x-rayed the role of the media during the COVID-19 pandemic, how VSF helped and what should be done in preparation for future viral diseases

He commended VSF for filling the vacuum of coverage during the pandemic and taking further steps to train journalists to equip them for the future.

On his part former spokesperson, Victim Support Fund,(VSF) Committee, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said that the training was important because of the prevalence of pandemics.

Abdulkadir said during COVID -19, the media made significant contributions as jingles where made and translated to local languages for better communication. He said presently issues about pandemic is under reported and cited monkey pox as example.

“It means that the retooling and upskilling of reporters and content creators is very important.They have to be adequately equipped for them to be able to do their job.

“Media professionals should  be able to learn the strategies of reaching audiences on how they should take care of themselves  whenever there is an outbreak of any pandemic.”

He launched a book, ‘No need for Alarm’ during the event. He said it was written to serve as a guide to journalists.

Abdulkadir said that the 131-page book published by VSF contained ideas, concepts, plans and strategies for reporters to reach target audience in reportage of pandemics.

Chairman of the Lagos council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr Adeleye Ajayi, unveiled the book while expressing gratitude to VSF for the initiative. He said that the book would teach journalists how to play safe during crisis while urging them to always uphold professional ethics.

“We must be factual, our stories must be timely and current. Our story must be relevant, accurate, balanced, clear, concise, interesting,” he said.

Highlights of the event,was the presentation of certificate to the successful 25 participants drawn from print and electronic media as well as content creators  who attended the VSF workshop.