By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A nongovernmental organization (NGO), Pathfinder International Nigeria, and partners has trained 34 Nigeria journalists and social media influencers on Smart Advocacy for Strategic Action (SASA), Family Planning (FP) and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH).
The two-day capacity-strengthening workshop, held in Abuja, was organized by the Pathfinder project on the listed issues and their importance in Nigeria.
The project was organized in conjunction with PPDARO and Jhpiego of Kenya.
Our correspondent who took part in
the SASA training workshop, reported that the project sought to promote FP and MNCH outcomes in Nigeria through advancing citizen-led advocacy on financing, budgeting, and accountability.
According to the organizers, the mass media are seen as key actors in setting agenda, and amplifying advocacy messages, stimulating discourse, and holding policymakers accountable to improve women’s and children’s health.
In a remark at the training, the Senior Media and Communication Officer, Pathfinder International Nigeria, Bayo Ewuola, explained that the workshop was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of critical health issues and equip them with relevant tools to tell impactful and ethical as well as solution stories.
“The main purpose of this workshop is to deepen understanding of FP and MNCH. These are not abstract concepts; they are about saving the lives of our mothers, sisters, daughters, and aunties, people who matter to us.
“Media is very powerful in engendering change, and this training is designed to empower journalists and social media influencers to tell more accurate and ethical stories that go beyond headlines,” he explained.
PHOTO CAPTION: A cross section of participants at the training.
