- By Adeyinka Ademola
The Sustainable Development Club, The Polytechnic, Ibadan brought together campus journalists and community development experts on campus for a day workshop held at the Department of Local Government and Development Studies Resource Centre on the 8th August 2019 with the theme ” Media, Advocates towards accelerating Demographic dividend”
In his opening address, The Coordinator, Sustainable Development Club, Mr Kolawole Amuzat congratulate the sustainable development club for organizing such National development program that is meant to sow seed in Nigerian youth.
He also urged the campus journalists and advocated to ensure they participate in the sustainable development strategies and keep advocating on demographic dividends as this will not only widen their knowledge but also make the country a better place for everyone.
While training on the topic “Media, Advocates towards accelerating Demographic Dividend” The President, Sustainable Development Club who is also the Editor-in-Chief of Press Council, Comrade Temiloluwa Oyeniyi emphasized on four cardinal areas that drives the economy of any country which are Health and well-being, education and skills building, entrepreneurship and employment as well as youth participation and governance.
According to her, Demographic Dividend cannot be underestimated because as fertility rate decreases, a countrys working-age population grows larger relative to the young dependent population. Also, she illustrated that with more people in the labor force and fewer children to support, a country has a window of opportunity for rapid economic growth if the right social and economic investments as well as policies are made in health, education, governance, and the economy.
She stated further, As journalists and community development experts, its our responsibility to educate and enlighten on crucial issues that are detrimental to the development of the country birth control, political participation, empowerment, education, access to health care and nutrition service, child mortality as well as early marriage especially in the rural areas so that they can also contribute to the economic growth of the nation.
Speaking at the training The Chairman Press Council, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Comrade Malik Kolade on the topic “Rudiments of storytelling in journalism”, he emphasized on the need to be proactive and relevant in Journalism as it is the only way to trust, justice and freedom.
He explained that the duties of journalist are to inform, educate and entertain the public. He indicated that through storytelling, features, investigative journalism as well as effective interviews, we can accelerate demographic dividend.
He added, Creating a good story means finding and verifying important or interesting information and then presenting it in a way that engages the audience. Good stories are part of what make journalism different and more valuable than other content in the media universe.”
A wide range of issues were addressed in the course of discussions as four teams were formed to carry out researches in Apete Community. The workshop featured illustrations, team work, practical and networking.
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