Gender Accountability and Inclusivity in Nigeria (GAIN), in collaboration with GSAI and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), organized a one-day inclusive investigation training on accountability in governance for reporters and editors yesterday in Abuja. Adara Sydney-Jack, executive director of GSAI, made the call.
She emphasizes the significance of advocating for equal rights and opportunities to alter narratives and foster an inclusive culture.
"GSAI has been at the vanguard of advocating for greater female participation in governance, gender-friendly policies, and amplifying women's voices in public life over the years.
"GSAI's mission is based on five pillars: gender advocacy, accountability, gender justice, gender driven research, and partnership. Through the effective use of the media, we want to place women's rights as a national priority.
"We're here for a very important reason, and that is to teach 40 reporters and editors from all over the country for TV, radio, print, and online media.
She stated that the main goals of the training were to "increase editorials and reporting on the performance and failings of the government from a gender accountability perspective, empower media professionals to independently advance gender accountability and women's rights, and hold the government accountable for its actions."
She also states that another goal of the training is "to encourage and support story projects and reports that shed light on the lapses in performance of public office holders, as well as the political and economic performance of Nigeria."
Patrick Osadebamwen, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), noted that even though journalists are frequently seen as being anti-government, it is their sacred duty to bring attention to women's issues and issues of gender inclusion.
Timothy Choji, who was acting in his place, remarked, "The training sessions are skewed to open your eyes and storytelling mind to see the lapses in honestly designed policies and program of government national or subnational that would need to be tweaked for good."
According to Dele Atunbi, a lawyer and the head of the judiciary desk at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the government must create an environment that promotes gender equality. "Government should be held accountable and responsible for issues affecting women and children."
Additionally, Dr. Inya Ode, a media figure and proponent of gender equality, advised the media to follow the rules of professional conduct when covering gender-related stories. Ode urged the media to use its platforms to educate the public on the need to eradicate stigmas associated with people with disabilities (PWDs).
As gatekeepers in the sector, we should be quick to inform and bring about beneficial change. Our stories should inspire positive change in society.
Make Nigeria a place where women of all capacities may thrive and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our country, Susan Kelechi-Ihuoma, one of the facilitators, stated in her presentation. By working together, we can make this vision a reality.
Amos Dunia, a well-known journalist, stated that "we should be determined to write stories that will touch the lives of the common man and we should be more gender inclusive."