The World Health Organisation (WHO) has trained 50 Yobe journalists and social media influencers on health and behavioural change reporting.
In a presentation at the three-day workshop, the WHO State Coordinator, Dr Nuhu Ningi, said the aim of the training was to refresh participants’ minds and approach to behavioural change reporting.
“The training is expected to improve our health, our wellbeing and especially the knowledge of diseases that are posing outbreaks in Nigeria, particularly in Yobe,” Ningi said.
He further said that communication is very vital and correct information is important in managing any health threat and outbreak.
“So, information concerning such diseases is very important.
“That is why the media personnel are key in communicating the right information to the right people,” he said.
According to him, right information will help people to know when there is a threat, the symptoms and signs of any disease that can cause outbreak.
“They should know the personal hygiene and precautionary measures to get out of such situations,” Ningi said.
In a remark, the Yobe Council Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Rajab Mohammed, commended WHO for organising the workshop.
Mohammed said that such a forum would help to equip journalists and further sharpen their skills in reporting health.
He urged the participants to take the training seriously and utilise the knowledge they would acquire to improve their health reportage.
NAN
