On 29-30 October 2018, the Nigeria Strategy Support Program of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI-NSSP) has carried out an intermediate Policy Communications training in Kebbi state capital, Birnin-Kebbi, as part of efforts towards further strengthening the capacity of Nigerian journalists to drive evidence-based discussions on agricultural policy.
The 21 participants (11 male, 10 female) represented a diverse mix in terms of news media ownership with representation of journalists from radio, television and newspapers owned by Kebbi State Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the private sector.
The training covered the design and implementation of communication strategies and plans as well as the use of online platforms and social media for researching, reporting and disseminating information, particularly those related to agricultural policy.
The training was well-received by the participants, who requested that more of such trainings be made available to other journalists operating within Kebbi State.
According to Olanrewaju Lawal, who is a Correspondent with The Sun Newspaper, “I have found the training extremely beneficial and the time well-spent. After participating in the introductory training in April this year [2018], I was equipped to do more in terms of reporting on agriculture in Kebbi State. My thinking about agriculture really changed. For instance, this year, I have reported extensively on the impact of floods not just as a humanitarian issue, but also as an agricultural one which impacts farmers’ livelihoods, the food security and economy of not only the state, but also the country. This additional training will further help me to strategize and plan better how to write and publish my stories for more impact.”
IFPRI-NSSP organized this activity within the framework of the Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project which it jointly implemented by the International Food Policy Research Institute and Michigan State University with generous funding from the United State Agency for International Development (USAID/Nigeria).
