Bauchi Gov’t House Press Crew Trained on Policy Coverage, as Gov. Bala Urges Professional Development

From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos

Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed has tasked journalists to invest in professional development to impact in the future of journalism.

The governor disclosed this while declaring open a three day retreat organized for members of the Press crew,  government House Bauchi on Thursday at Lamonde hotel Jos.

He described journalism and democracy as an Era of rapid technological advancement and evolving media consumption as habits.

The three days retreat with the theme ” Press crew members and the tasks of effective coverage of government policies and programmes in the emerging challenges of twenty – first century journalism was organized by the office of the special Adviser on media and publicity to the Bauchi Governor.

The program aims at fostering greater collaboration between the government and the media, as it applies to effective communication between the two entities in promoting accountability and public trust.

The governor who was represented by his Commissioner of Information and Communication, Usman Danturaki,said the retreat was necessary as it will give participants the knowledge on their reporting procedures which will enhance their capacity in meeting the demand of the twenty- first century.

He however commended the crew on their doggedness commitment and display of professionalism in their daily reportage as it concerns the policies and ideas of the Bauchi State government.

Speaking earlier,  the special adviser to the Governor on media and publicity, Muktar Gidado said the retreat is not only going to avail the Press crew members of the opportunity to learn the basics of their professional ethics but will enhance the master their art of investigative journalism in harnessing the power of digital media.

The special Adviser reiterated that “As Journalists we must  continue to  play a dominant and pivotal role of informing, educating, enlightening and entertaining our target audience. The effective discharge of these responsibilities by us  improves good governance and sustainable development”

According to him,  “Training and retraining programs such as this, is needed very regularly to keep our staff abreast with evolving trends in the profession as well as policies of government within and beyond “

He also said that at the end of the three days retreat participants should be fully equipped with updated Skills and knowledge to fulfill their essential role as watchdogs of democracy and the society.

Gidado who is also a former National Deputy President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, explained that the first annual retreat was held in 2021 at the famous Yankari game reserve, adding that it would be held at the end of every year.

In his good will message, The Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State, Gyang Bere, commended the Bauchi State government for beautiful foresight  of training their crew to be fully equipped with skills to be able to carry out their duties diligently using digital tools effectively in the trendy environment without any stress.

He also appreciated the organizer for choosing to have their retreat in Plateau State, urging them to sustain the friendship for the development of the state.

Also on her part, the Plateau State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ayuku Pwaspo, Represented by her Vice Chairman, Pam Musa, urged the Bauchi State government House Press crew  to put in their best efforts to gain from the opportunity accorded to them throughout the training and to also put it to practice for the development of the state.

He told them to count themselves lucky because such opportunities are rare, therefore the experience they would acquire should be adequately put into practice to distinguish themselves from others that were not privileged to be part of the training.

He therefore called on other state Governors to emulate such good gesture by giving Journalists a sense of belonging and keeping abreast with new skills in discharging their duties diligently and happily.

Our correspondent reports that the resource person were media gurus and professionals  drawn from reputable media cycles and ambience of  journalism. Amongst them is Micheal Ishola, former Director of Press to former Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State.

There were also good will messages from the leader of the Government House Press crew, John Habila, and other media aids of governor Bala Mohammed.