A two-day workshop is being organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in partnership with UNICEF and the Imo State Government with the aim of reinforcing the media’s role in promoting regional development.

According to a statement released on Thursday and signed by the general secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, and the president of the NGE, Mr. Eze Anaba, the program is taking place in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on October 23 and 24, 2024. It emphasises the critical role that the media plays in drawing attention to the socioeconomic, political, and environmental issues in Nigeria’s South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.

Senior editors and media executives from print, electronic, and web media are among the fifty attendees of the workshop. The Guild members are employed by the governments of the nine states in the South-East and South-South zones of Nigeria.

The editors stated, “We firmly believe that the media has the capacity to play a vital role in mitigating the socio-economic and environmental challenges by raising awareness-informing the public about pressing issues; amplifying marginalised voices; and providing information on social services, policies, and programs. Faced with a complex set of socio-economic and environmental challenges, including high levels of poverty, infrastructural deficits, environmental degradation, and socio-political conflicts.”

The professional body of editors and media executives in Nigeria praised the Imo State Government and UNICEF for working with the NGE on the project and stated that the media has a significant impact on socioeconomic and environmental issues. These impacts include influencing public opinion and policy, inspiring community action, giving marginalised voices a platform, promoting discussion and debate, and holding those in positions of power accountable.

The editors assert that “the media can robustly engage the challenges through investigative journalism, social media engagement, data-driven journalism, collaborative reporting, and reporting that is solutions-focused.”

“The media can effectively contribute to addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges by implementing these strategies.”

Experts and stakeholders will present at the workshop, which will be led by Prof Stella Okunna, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Paul University in Awka and a prominent mass communication researcher, according to the NGE.

‘’It is anticipated that the course would provide participants with improved abilities to discuss and write about the environmental and socioeconomic issues facing the area.

It will also enable them to work with UNICEF and other partners to highlight child-focused issues that, when resolved, can enhance overall regional development outcomes. “They will be empowered to create narratives that address the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly children,” the statement continued.

The workshop, which has the topic “The Media as Partners in Regional Development,” will be opened by Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, according to the Guild. The NGE President and Ms. Cristian Munduate, the head of UNICEF’s office in Nigeria, will co-host the event.