Adamawa CPS Urges Journalists to Embrace In-Depth Reporting, Move Beyond “He Said” Style

Adamawa CPS Urges Journalists to Embrace In-Depth Reporting, Move Beyond “He Said” Style

The Chief Press Secretary to the Adamawa State Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, has called on journalists covering the Office of the Wife of the Governor to shift from the traditional “he said” style of reporting and adopt more in-depth analysis of government programmes and policies to better serve the public.

Wonosikou made the call on [date] during a one-day In-House Media Training Programme organized for the press crew attached to the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Lami Fintiri, held in Yola.

Humwashi Wonosikou, chief press secretary to the Adamawa state Governor Fintiri 

He emphasized that a more cohesive and analytical approach to reporting on programmes being executed or about to be executed would go a long way in fostering public understanding of issues and promoting development.

The Chief Press Secretary noted that government journalists double as Public Relations Officers of the government, stressing the need for them to expand their knowledge and understanding of news reporting to effectively discharge their duties.

He further urged the media team to cultivate a synergistic working relationship, noting that such a posture depends on mutual understanding among journalists.

Speaking on behalf of the Wife of the Governor, her Special Assistant on Media, Ishaya Bitrus, described the training as timely, considering the emerging evolution of technology in the media space.

Ishaya Bitrus,SA Media to the wife of the Governor of Adamawa Governor 

Bitrus urged the participants to help project more of the programmes of the Wife of the Governor through speed, teamwork, and effective use of digital platforms.

Earlier, the Chief Organizer of the training and Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor, Clara Attah Mustapha, said the theme — “Enhancing Professionalism, Excellence and Effective Media Communication” — was timely and relevant to the responsibilities entrusted to the media team, given the rapidly changing communication environment where information travels within seconds and how a message is presented can be as important as the message itself.

Clara Attah Mustapha, Press secretary to the wife of Adamawa Governor, Hajiya Lami Fintiri 

She said the press crew’s role goes beyond taking photographs, producing videos, writing stories, or managing social media platforms, adding that they are responsible for effectively documenting, communicating, and projecting the activities and engagements of Her Excellency.

Mustapha stated that the training provided the crew with an opportunity to critically examine their current practices, learn from experienced professionals, share ideas, and acquire practical skills that would strengthen their capacity as a team.

In his remarks, the Adamawa State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim, represented by the Vice Chairman, Nuwammah Idda, stressed that training of that nature strengthens the capacity of journalists, adding that the media training aligns with the objectives of his leadership.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Kate Aliyuda expressed gratitude to the Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Lami Fintiri, for graciously approving the training, promising to change the narrative of their reporting style to a more advanced one.

She also commended the Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor, Clara Attah Mustapha, for her leadership role in championing the cause of journalism at the Office of the Wife of the Governor.

Resource Persons Zare Baba & Yusuf Buba 

Two papers were presented at the training: “Enhancing Professionalism, Excellence and Effective Media Communication: Building a More Professional and Impactful Press Team” by Zare Baba, Vice President of NUJ Zone E, and “Building a More Professional, Effective and impactful Press” by Yusuf Buba.

Zare Baba, Vice President NUJ Zone E