Sirri Care Foundation has begun a two-day capacity-building workshop to improve journalists’ understanding of social protection frameworks in Borno State. The training, held in Maiduguri, brought together journalists and media professionals from print and online news organisations to promote accurate and responsible reporting.
The workshop is part of the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection, Participation and Economic Resilience in Northeast Nigeria (SEPIN-SUSI) project.
Speaking at the opening, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Dr. Susan Tanwie, said the programme aims to strengthen public understanding of the state’s social protection system.
She explained that the project is implemented by GIZ, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and co-funded by the European Union.
Dr. Tanwie said Sirri Care Foundation was engaged as a consultant to support institutional engagement, capacity strengthening, community participation, media engagement, monitoring and learning.
She noted that the training would help create a more inclusive and accountable social protection system while supporting transparent registration and re-validation of poor and vulnerable households.
According to her, journalists need a better understanding of the Borno State Social Protection Frameworks, institutional responsibilities and the State Social Register to report accurately on issues affecting citizens.
“Your participation and professional experience will contribute significantly to the success of the workshop and the promotion of accurate and contextual social protection reporting in Borno State,” she said.
The first day featured presentations by experts, including Dr. Dauda Sharafa of the University of Maiduguri, who spoke on social protection, government policies, stakeholder collaboration and strategic development, while officials from the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) explained the roles of the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), the State Social Register and the Grievance Redress Mechanism used to resolve complaints and refer criminal cases to agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, the police and the courts where necessary.
