Lagos, Nigeria: The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) has partnered with the Media Awareness and Information for All Networks (MAIN), in organizing training for journalists on reporting about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The programme, a two-day event, was held on May 10 and May 11 in Lagos, as it featured paper presentations, group sessions, and discussions on “sustainability journalism”.
Speaking at the event, Ronald Kayanja, UNIC director, speaks on the need for countries, and community individuals to understand the importance of promoting sustainable development.
Oluseyi Soremekun, UNIC national information officer, explained the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of the 17 SDGs, adding that when journalists write, the eventual outcome should focus on the implementation of SDGs.
In his presentation, Lai Oso, chairman of MAIN highlighted the importance of projecting SDGs within media reports, in line with efforts to promote sustainable development.
In addition, Jide Jimoh, associate professor of the school of communication, Lagos State University (LASU) speaks on the impact of climate change on SDGs, adding that journalists should always endeavor to ensure that the language of reporting is accessible to as many as possible, irrespective of educational background.
There were also presentations by Ganiyat Adenle, a lecturer at the Lagos State University, on the impact of gender equality on SDGs; Simisola Oso of the department of microbiology, LASU, spoke on managing waste in Lagos; and Solape Hammond of the Lagos office of the SDGs and investments, who was represented by Abosede George, highlighted the Lagos government’s efforts on SDG implementation.
At the end of the training, 59 online, electronic, and print media journalists in Lagos were decorated as champions of SDGs and inducted into the Nigeria Network of Sustainable Development Journalists (NNSDJ).
Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos commissioner for information and strategy, represented by Olusina Thorpe, permanent secretary in the ministry, decorated the journalists with SDG wheel-pins.
Also present were representatives of the office of the senior special assistant to the president on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs).
