by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
An NGO, ‘Pathfinder International Nigeria and Partners,’ has trained 34 Nigerian Journalists and social media influencers on Smart Advocacy for Strategic Action (SASA), on Family Planning (FP) and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH).
The two-day capacity-strengthening building workshop held in Abuja was organized by the Pathfinder project to gear-up issues around FP and MNCH and its importance in Nigeria.
The project, organized in conjunction with PPDARO and Jhpiego of Kenya, was held between September 25th and Friday 26th, in Corinthia Villa Hotel, Abuja.
Our Correspondent, who took part in the SASA training workshop, reported that the project is seeking to promote FP and MNCH outcomes in Nigeria, through advancing citizen-led advocacy on financing, budgeting, accountability.
According to organizer, 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 Communications Officer Pathfinder International Nigeria, Bayo Ewuola, explained that the workshop was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of critical health issues and to 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.