By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar
To improve the accuracy and depth of public health reporting, twenty journalists from print, electronic, and online media platforms recently completed an intensive two-day training in Bauchi State.
Organized by the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination in partnership with the UNFPA and Journalists for Public Health (J4PD), the workshop aimed to equip media practitioners with the skills needed to effectively cover the UNFPA’s 9th Country Programme.
Facilitators from UNFPA offices across Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Bauchi led technical sessions focusing on results-based reporting, family planning, maternal health, adolescent development, and ethical reporting standards.
Highlighting the core mission of the initiative, J4PD Executive Director Mrs. Elizabeth Kah explained that the collaboration seeks to elevate journalists’ understanding of UNFPA initiatives from 70 percent to 100 percent.
Kah noted that her organization has partnered with UNFPA since 2024 to champion sustainable development for vulnerable populations—including women, youth, and Persons Living with Disabilities—across the North-East.
Echoing this sentiment during a goodwill message, Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication Dr. Shehu Usman Shehu—represented by Director of Information Mohammed Sani Umar—described the media as a vital partner in policy advocacy and public enlightenment.
The comprehensive training placed a strong emphasis on sensitive, survivor-centred storytelling, particularly regarding gender-based violence (GBV) and positive masculinity.
Participants were urged to maintain professionalism and respect the dignity and privacy of survivors while covering delicate social issues.
Following the interactive sessions, participating journalists reported that the program significantly broadened their comprehension of the UNFPA’s 9th Country Programme, ultimately strengthening their capacity to deliver ethical, evidence-based, and impactful public health and development reports across Bauchi State.
