By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP) has tasked journalists to developed measures and strategic frameworks on how to effectively handle elections matters and processes as well ensure transparency and accountability in the state electoral system.
The Executive Director of BOCODEP, Dr. Abubakar Muazu gave the charge on Friday during a two day workshop on prioritizing anti corruption and accountability towards 2023 elections in Borno State.
In his opening remark, Dr. Muazu said the Maiduguri based organization, was founded in 1993 with the sole aim of working in good governance, peace building, human rights, and media development.
Represented by the Administration Head of BOCODEP, Malam Mohammed Wuyo, said the organization deemed it fit to organize such workshop for media practitioners to brainstorm on the needs, measures and strategic frameworks on how effectively and professionally train journalists in handling elections matters and processes as well ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral system as part of the social responsibility and watchdog role of the mass media to the society.
He further explained that as the 2023 general elections are approaching, it became necessary to train the media practitioners with a view to sensitize both the public and politicians to be responsible and fulfill their electioneering campaign promises to the people by way of making them accountable and responsible to the electorates and society at large.
A facilitator at the workshop, Dr. Musa Usman Konduga of The Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, educated the journalists on the Mass Media Changing Roles and Responsibility and Mass Media and Political Awareness Issues in Nigeria.
Other papers presented include – An Overview of Mass Media and the Coverage of Corruption and Good Governance as well as Looking Ahead: The 2023 Elections and the Media among others on how the mass media can influence changes by playing its role in the society effectively without fear and professionally as provided by the law and constitution.
Participants were drawn from both the print, broadcast and online media practitioners based in Maiduguri, Borno state.
Highlights of the workshop include paper presentations, group photographs, comments, questions and answers among others.
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