The State Government through the Civil Service Commission has commenced a two-day intensive Media Training focusing on enhancing reportorial skills of the media for Human Capacity Development (HCD).
Speaking while declaring open the workshop at the Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Center Umuahia, the Abia State Focal person for Human Capital Development (HCD) and Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry-Eze, said the training is aimed at equipping journalists with skills and insights necessary to cover HCD related issues effectively.
She stressed the need for a broader media coverage to ensure that HCD initiatives receive sustained attention, noting that by setting public agenda, the media can help prioritize HCD on the state’s development roadmap.
The State HCD Focal Person noted that the National Economic Council in 2018 initiated the National HCD programme to address poverty and create sustainable economic growth and listed the thematic areas of HCD to include Education, Health and Nutrition and Labour Force Participation.
According to Pastor Enoh Jerry-Eze, the HCD Programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, pointing out that the HCD 2.0 in Abia would focus on implementation and overall governance and funding structure to ensure sustainability of the programme.
In his presentation, a development communication expert, Mr Bankole Ebisemiju, described the media as a powerful tool that can accelerate Human Capital Development in the state, adding that the training focuses on educating journalists on strategies through which the Abia HCD objectives could be better projected.
Mr Ebisemiju urged journalists to develop a consistent capacity building culture, in order to remain active and relevant contributors in the advancement of the society and 21st century.
Speaking on behalf of other participants, the Assistant Head of Information and Press, Government House Umuahia, Mr. Divine Nwankwo appreciated Governor Alex Otti and the State Civil Service Commission for organizing media training for journalists in the State, describing the training as unprecedented and first of its kind in the history of the State.
Our correspondent reports that the event also attracted the presence of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu among others.
