From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Development Management Board (KTDMB) has organized a capacity-building training for working journalists and public relations officers on Communication for Development.
The training brought together Public Relations Officers (PROs), Assistant Public Relations Officers (APROs) from various ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as journalists from different media organizations.
Speaking at the opening session, the Executive Secretary of KTDMB, Malam Mustapha Shehu, stated that the training aimed to equip media practitioners with essential knowledge on Communication for Development, Communication for Behavioral Change, Social Media for Development, and Ethical and Responsible Communication for Development.
Shehu emphasized that the program was designed to enhance participants’ understanding of information dissemination as a key tool for development in both Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole.
He highlighted the crucial role of the media in promoting ethical communication practices and fostering positive societal change.
According to him, the training would help participants improve their skills in the digital era while upholding the ethics of the media profession.
He added that through engagements with experienced media professionals, attendees would gain valuable insights to enhance their work.
> “We are here to share ideas, learn from one another, and build our capacity together,” he said.
Shehu also underscored the importance of truthful and impactful communication, stressing that development-focused reporting should prioritize the impact of stories rather than just the events themselves.
Furthermore, he noted that the training was designed to prepare participants for succession planning, ensuring that future media professionals are well-equipped to take on leadership roles.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted the media’s vital role in peacebuilding and national development. He urged participants to embrace information technology to boost economic development and address the challenges facing youth in society.
In his closing remarks, the Director of Information at the Katsina State Ministry of Information, Tukur Hassan Dan’Ali, alongside the Chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), commended the KTDMB for organizing the training.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Malam Dikko Radda for his continued support of the media in the state.
Dan’Ali urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve their performance and contribute meaningfully to development-focused communication in the state.