IHS Nigeria, a leading provider of shared communications infrastructure, has sponsored a two-day training workshop for 100 journalists partnered with Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council.
The workshop, held in Abeokuta, aimed to build the capacity of journalists in new media literacy, legal defence, and financial and economic reporting, with the goal of promoting ethical journalism and strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria.
The training was facilitated by Rasaq Ayinla, Esq., Regional Editor of Business Day Newspaper and Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel, Ogun State.
In his welcome address Ayinla expressed appreciation to IHS Nigeria for sponsoring the training, noting that journalism started in Nigeria in Abeokuta.
“We are therefore conducting this training for 100 Ogun State-based Journalists to close the perceived gap and of course, for the IHS Nigeria Limited to fraternise and share ideas with Journalists in Ogun State and beyond’, he added.
The workshop covered topics such as finance , economy, telecoms, mining, oil and gas, banking and insurance, law, public administration, and community relations.
Speakers included accomplished individuals who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields.
As we are all aware, Media practitioners in Nigeria face daunting challenges, including those related to career development. Often, there are gaps in the areas of structured mentorship for young reporters, career planning and growth opportunities, digital skills and leadership development.
“It’s no doubt that Abeokuta leads in good and vibrant journalism and we must maintain the pace for good, unbiased and balanced reportage and newspapering, that is why among us today, we have Publishers and Editors of Newspapers, Magazine and Online News Platforms published and broadcast from Abeokuta as well as Correspondents, Press and Information Officers from the Federal, State and Local Government Ministries, Departments and Agency of Information and Orientation.
“And there are also issues with financial viability and sustainability, media regulations, especially in relation to new media threats, physical assaults and harassment of journalists on the field; limited protection for journalists, particularly during election coverages among others.
While many of these challenges have to do with the government, media employers and the operating environment, others are in-house issues that can be well handled by media managers and organs such as the correspondents chapel.
Akinmade stated that occasions such as this, offer opportunities to reflect on the field of practice, share experience, acquire new skills, drop old, unsustainable habits, and essentially enter into a new world of possibilities.
“A correspondent who has just acquired new skills is still a correspondent, but his/her story won’t be the same as that of a professional, which has so much years on the job speaking for him/ her. The world is changing and we need to change with it. We all know that today, journalists and media organizations need to be technologically savvy and innovative to stay competitive. Part of the objectives of this retreat is to foster media innovation and creativity’.
Mrs. Yemisi Diya-Salawu, Director of Legal, IHS Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s strong sustainability and societal impact agenda, prioritizing investment in people, education, and community growth.
She noted that IHS Nigeria operates over 16,000 towers and 15,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country, positioning it as a key enabler of digital transformation and connectivity.
Diya-Salawu urged journalists to maximize the knowledge gained to improve their craft and uphold the values of truth, fairness, and integrity.
The training is part of IHS Nigeria’s sustainability strategy, built on four key pillars: ethics and governance, environment and climate change, education and economic growth, and people and communities.
