From Idris Khalid, Bauchi
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, has trained over 20 journalists in Bauchi State on reporting its 9th Country programme and other development interventions.
The two-day capacity-building training was facilitated by Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), a civil society organisation. The training was designed to improve journalists’ understanding of UNFPA’s programmes in Nigeria, familiarise them with reporting guidelines, and strengthen their capacity to communicate key messages on family planning, maternal health, gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV) and demographic change.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at MWUHN Secretariat, Bauchi on Friday, Dr. Audu Alayande, a public health physician and reproductive health specialist who serves as Assistant Representative and officer-in-charge of UNFPA’s Kaduna sub-office in Nigeria, commended J4PD for its efforts in publicising the organisation’s activities and programmes in Bauchi State.
He described the partnership as impactful, noting that it had helped provide visibility for UNFPA interventions and enabled stakeholders and funding partners to understand how approved resources were being utilised to achieve development objectives.
Alayande expressed confidence that the partnership would further strengthen communication with target audiences and improve public understanding of interventions aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare.
He explained that UNFPA-supported development initiatives covered several areas, including healthcare, women’s well-being, environmental sustainability and efforts to address the effects of climate change.
According to him, the interventions also seek to create employment opportunities, strengthen economic empowerment and promote sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable populations, particularly women and persons with disabilities.
He added that the programmes support community development, empowerment initiatives, the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, and reproductive health services.
Alayande further stressed the importance of inclusion and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, noting that persons with disabilities must not be left behind in development initiatives.
In a keynote address, the permanent secretary of the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Ibrahim Rufai Ahmed, expressed appreciation to UNFPA for its continued partnership and support in advancing population and development priorities in the state.
He also commended media partners, particularly J4PD, for their commitment to raising public awareness, disseminating accurate information and supporting development initiatives.
Ahmed described the media as a critical partner in shaping public opinion, influencing social behaviour and promoting access to essential information on sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.
He said responsible journalism could help address harmful practices, challenge misconceptions, amplify the voices of vulnerable groups and encourage communities to embrace positive social change.
The permanent secretary said the training was timely, as it would strengthen the capacity of media implementing partners to develop and disseminate accurate, evidence-based, inclusive and culturally appropriate messages.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to improve their communication skills, deepen their understanding of UNFPA’s programme objectives and strengthen collaboration with government institutions and other stakeholders.
Ahmed also charged journalists to uphold professionalism, ethical reporting, confidentiality and sensitivity when reporting issues affecting women, young people and other vulnerable populations.
He said the impact of the training should be reflected in improved media engagement, increased public awareness and measurable contributions to the state’s development objectives.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with UNFPA, the media and other stakeholders to promote inclusive development and improve the well-being of residents.
In her remarks, the executive director of J4PD, Elizabeth Kah, described the organisation as a registered Nigerian non-profit, non-governmental, non-political and non-religious organisation committed to promoting sustainable development through strategic communication, advocacy, community engagement and evidence-based interventions.
She said J4PD was founded in 2018 by a network of experienced journalists and media practitioners and emerged from the Bauchi Public Health Media Network, with a vision of using the media to promote social accountability, public awareness and development.
According to her, the organisation was formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2020.
Kah explained that J4PD had since expanded its activities to include project implementation and technical support in health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), gender equality, climate resilience, governance, media development and livelihood enhancement.
She said the organisation worked closely with government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, media houses and local communities to improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
She further explained that J4PD’s vision was to harness the power of journalism and community engagement to promote sustainable development, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Its mission, she said, was to contribute to a Nigeria where everyone, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, could access quality healthcare, education, clean water and economic opportunities to realise their full potential.
The J4PD executive director commended UNFPA and the state Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination for giving the organisation the opportunity to serve as the project’s visibility partner.
She described the experience as rewarding and said the training came at an appropriate time when journalists needed to strengthen their understanding of UNFPA programmes to ensure accurate reporting and effective communication of their objectives.
Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu Usman, commended the organisers and UNFPA for the initiative, describing it as timely and important for strengthening journalists’ capacity to report development issues accurately, ethically and sensitively.
The commissioner, who was represented by a ministry official, Muhammad Sani, said the media remained a strategic partner in public enlightenment, policy advocacy and sustainable development.
He noted that responsible journalism could raise public awareness, promote accountability and ensure that essential information reached the people who needed it most.
Sani said the training’s focus on sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and youth development was particularly important because of the implications of these issues for community well-being.
He stressed that reporting such issues required professionalism, accuracy, sensitivity and respect for the dignity and privacy of affected persons.
According to him, journalists had a responsibility to challenge misinformation, promote constructive dialogue and give visibility to issues affecting women, children, young people and other vulnerable groups.
He added that the Bauchi State Government recognised the media’s role in advancing development and remained committed to promoting effective communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Sani urged participants to share experiences, maximise the benefits of the training and apply the knowledge gained to improve reporting practices and contribute to public health awareness and social development in the state.
A total of 20 journalists drawn from various media organisations across Bauchi State participated in the two-day training, which featured presentations by facilitators from UNFPA’s Country Office in Abuja.
