NEMA trains journalists, information officers on disaster management

THE Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mohammed Sani Sidi yesterday said the agency is organizing a three-day workshop for information officers and journalists on media reporting skills to “enhance media relations strategies and disasters management” in the North East sub-region of the country.

Addressing participants at Barwee Hotel, Maiduguri, Sidi who was represented by the Zonal Co-ordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, said that the workshop was to brainstorm on how to effectively render humanitarian services to victims of insurgency and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He said the training will also assist the agency on how to rebuild and rehabilitate all the destroyed communities, before the IDPs could return next year.

On the import of training, he said: “The essence of this workshop is to among others, educate and sensitize information officers and journalists who report emergency management/disaster curtailment activities within the North East sub-region of the country.”

He further explained that, while it is important to report disasters and emergency interventions, information managers must balance their stories and ensure that the right victims are reported.

Kanar also reiterated that media practitioners, including information officers must put into consideration the mandate of the agency and the need to keep the public informed anytime they report stories.

His words: “This workshop is expected to enhance and build media reporting skills during emergencies using enhanced media relations strategies in humanitarian assistance in the various displaced persons resettlement camps.

“It is in this light that NEMA is organizing this workshop to ensure that information managers are abreast with the activities of the agency; especially in rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram and planned reconstruction of destroyed communities. These trainees can effectively keep the public better informed or enlightened,” said Kanar.

While urging participants to utilize the benefits of the programme, he appreciated stakeholders’ support and co-operation in their joint efforts to provide succour to the over 2.2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the affected North East sub-region.