By Glory Eyo
Members of the pen profession have received revitalizing professional treatments for effective and factual reportage via the 2019 Journalism Retool House at the NUJ Press Center in Uyo.
The 2-day training with the theme: Conflict Sensitivity Reportage and Constructive Engagement with State Actors jointly organized by The Next Edition Centre for Investigative Journalism and Gender Advocacy, Policy Alert and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council brought Journalists within the state to be properly trained on the nitty-gritty of the profession.
While dissecting the content of the training, the resource persons expounded more on The Consequences of Reckless Reportage on the Journalist, Media and Society; How to Engage Constructively with State Sources and Government Information Managers; Using Video as a Tool for Solutions; Journalism in Nigeria; Essentials of Parliamentary Reporting for the print, Electronic and Online Media; Advanced Conflict Sensitivity Reporting-How Journalists Can Walk the Thin Line and many other in-house discussions.
High points at the event included lecture presentation, discussions and questions and answers sessions as well as presentation of certificates. Dignitaries in the event include His Excellency, Mr. Moses Ekpo, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State; Mr. Ray Ekpu; Dr. Reuben Abati; Shola Ajay; Sam Akpe; Ibanga Isine; Sam Akpan, General Manager, Inspiration FM; Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director, Policy Alert; Victoria Ibanga, Next Edition Newspaper; Chief Been Iwuoha; Mr. Amos Etuk, Akwa Ibom State Council Chairman of NUJ; Mrs. Uduak Ekong, NAWOJ Chairperson; Iniobong Usen; Utibe Ukim among others.
In reactions, participates at the training expressed gratitude to the organizers of the programme for such a timely rescue of the future of the pen profession from quackery intrusion and restoration of value to the press.