No fewer than 32 Nigerian journalists and journalism students at the Kaduna State University had been trained by the United States Government on specialised reporting, a US official has said.
Inna Dubinsky of the Office of Strategy and Development, Broadcasting Board of Governors, a US International Broadcasting Bureau, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.
Debinsky said the training, conducted at KASU, was organised by Voice of America international broadcasting service in collaboration with BBG’s Office of Training and Development and was funded by the US State Department.
She said beneficiaries of the programme were selected from VOA Hausa Service, practicing journalists from selected broadcasting outfits and Mass Communication students from KASU.
Debinsky explained that the training was designed to equip the participants with needed skills in business and entrepreneurial reporting.
Debinsky added that the beneficiaries were also trained on how to use smart phones applications to shoot audio and video news and post same to social networks.
According to her, the aim of the programme was to utilise the social media to expedite delivery of business news and information to communities through social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, among others.
She observed that Nigerian business and entrepreneurship climate had witness a tremendous boost in recent times.
Debinsky said: “The number of small businesses in Nigeria has risen from 17.4 million to 35 million in recent times, but the sector suffers neglect by Nigerian media.”
Debinsky blamed the development on lack of skills, lack of encouragement and platform for business reporting to flourish, insufficient resources and information.
She said: “Lately, the number of small businesses in the country rose from 17.4 million to 35 million.
“But, there is obviously lack of business entrepreneurship information in the media and absence of platform for business reporters and networks are not very eager to provide air space for business entrepreneurs.
“There is also lack of resources, including equipment and lack of editorial support.
“These, among other reasons, informed our decision to partner Kaduna State University to conduct the training which commenced on July 12 and ended July 16.
“Our goal was to equip Nigerian journalists with skills, support and encourage them to accord the needed attention to small business reportage.”
NAN.
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