Journalists in Nigeria have been told to practice what they preach on Covid-19 by observing protocols guiding against the spread of the disease.
The Special Adviser to the Ogun State governor on Public Communication, Pastor Remmy Hazzan made this known while declaring open a day training for Radio Reporters on Covid-19 in Ogun State.
The one day training for the radio journalists in Ogun state was a collaborative effort between the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy and UNICEF aimed at adequately equipping the reporters on safety measures while carrying out their work of gathering and disseminating information.
According to the facilitators, the training for the radio reporter became necessary due to the wide reach of radio broadcasting and the behavioural changing attributes of radio broadcast also needed in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic currently ravaging the world.
The special Adviser to the Ogun state governor on public communications, Pastor Hazzan while declaring the training open advised the journalists not to disappoint themselves by making themselves vulnerable to the highly contagious disease.
He said journalists should continue to wear face masks, observe social and physical distancing and also ensure good personal hygiene.
The permanent secretary at the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abiodun Awere in a remark said the training for the radio journalists was to ensure that the right information get to the general public at all times in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ogun State Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Akeem Yusuf represented by Dr. Adefunke Adesina while addressing the technical session explained the status of Coronavirus disease in Nigeria and efforts to combat the pandemic noting that journalists must endeavour not to spread panic messages while reporting Covid-19 stories.
The UNICEF representative at the training, Mrs. Florence Molokwu explained the roles of the media, use of the health data to write stories and the need to disseminate correct information and helpful messages on Covid-19.
Another facilitator, Mr. Lanre Ogunyinka in a remark highlighted the importance of radio reporter in changing behavioral patterns of the people while the chairman of the caretaker committee of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council Mrs. Omolola Adeyinka thanked the state government and UNICEF for taking the journalists in Ogun State that are regarded as risk communicators to class on Covid-19 in the interest of the public.
Wale Oluokun
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