Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Moses Ekpo, Co-founder of Newswatch Magazine and CEO/Editor-in-Chief Mayfive Media Limited, Mr. Ray Ekpu, and former Special adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Reuben Abati, will feature at The Next Edition Training Programme.

The Next Edition Centre for Investigative Journalism and Gender Advocacy (NECIJGA) in collaboration with Policy Alert and Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has concluded arrangements to organise the 3rd edition of its annual Journalism Retool House in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The training programme will be declared open by Mr. Ekpo, a fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE.

The programme with the theme, “Conflict Sensitivity Reportage and Constructive Engagement with State Actors”, will be held at the NUJ Press Center along Information Drive in Uyo, from October 17 - 18, 2019.

The Retool House is designed to offer a practical everyday guide to journalists in the state with a view to guarantee conflict-sensitive reportage and a rancour-free engagement with state actors and the public

This is predicated on the belief that meaningful development can only take place when there is peace and where the people understand and support the initiatives of the government and make positive contributions to policy framing and take ownership of projects in their domains.

A total of 200 journalists, journalism teachers and experts within and outside the state are expected at the two-day training programme, which will be chaired by Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, former Commissioner for Information in Abia State and former NUJ President.

The Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Next Edition Online Newspaper, former General Secretary and current Treasurer of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Victoria Ibanga, said this year’s training programme is unique and will leave behind unforgettable impressions.

It will parade some of the best journalists and media practitioners in the country including Mr. Ray Ekpu, world-class editor and media icon, Dr. Rueben Abati, international TV anchor, renowned academic and former Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity and Shola Ajay, multiple award-winning international broadcaster and showbiz mogul.

Others are Mr. Sam Akpe, award-winning editor and media consultant and Ibanga Isine, Managing Editor, Next Edition Newspaper, Lagos and Coordinator of the Retool House.

Speaking on the planned training, Ms. Ibanga said the theme: Conflict Sensitivity Reportage and Constructive Engagement with State Actors was selected based on research that showed a yearning need for reportage that promotes peace, unity, good neighbourliness and accountability on the part of state actors and leaders.

“We carefully selected our resource persons to address key topics that will ultimately teach our colleagues in Akwa Ibom on the best approach to frame and tell their stories,” she said.

“The Retool House as the name implies, will offer very practical approaches to responsible journalism which is an emerging school of thought in the media industry.”

The Next Edition Centre for Investigative Journalism and Gender Advocacy has been training journalists and media practitioners in Akwa Ibom State since 2017 and has attracted some of the best brains in the Nigerian media space to the state.

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