From Abdullahi Alhassan, Abuja
Pathfinder International Nigeria has trained journalists on accurate reporting of Family Planning (FP) and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) issues.
The two-day workshop in Abuja drew media professionals from Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, and the FCT, alongside policymakers.
Pathfinder’s Senior Media and Communication Officer, Bayo Ewuola, said the training aimed to strengthen journalists’ capacity for impactful, ethical, and solutions-driven reporting that puts FP and MNCH at the forefront of public discourse.
Ewuola emphasized the role of the media in saving lives and setting the agenda for policy and community engagement.
“We want journalists to go beyond statistics, highlight real challenges, and amplify community voices,” he said.
President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, commended the initiative, stressing that building journalists’ capacity is key to reducing maternal mortality, particularly in northern Nigeria.
He noted that effective family planning and child spacing could cut maternal deaths by 40%.
Similarly, Comrade Garba Muhammad of KADMAM called for stronger integration of FP and MNCH services in Kaduna State, with increased funding, accountability, and media involvement in awareness campaigns.
The workshop featured paper presentations on FP/MNCH key terminologies and the media’s role in agenda-setting and accountability.