Over 70 FCT Journalists Benefit From Chevron Training On AI

Over 70 journalists in the Federal Capital Territory have benefited from a one day capacity building training on the use of Artificial Intelligence to boost efficiency, quality reportage and curb misinformation.

The training organized and sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory, FCT Council has the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Journalism'”.

Speaking at the occasion, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Olusoga Oduselu who was represented by Mr Victor Anyaegbudike described the media as agenda-setters and opinion moulders in shaping the society and
expressed confidence in the partnership with NUJ Abuja Council.

He highlighted previous editions of the training which were held in 2023 and 2024 across three
zones in the country, including Lagos, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to him, the training is geared towards building the capacity of media practitioners to enhance their skills and abilities.

“We continue to partner with the media for the development of society. In this light, we also recognize the need for capacity building of the media practitioners to enhance their ability to perform their duties. That is why CNL pioneered the Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills, AWARES programme in collaboration with the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos. Over 120 journalists have benefitted from the programme since its inception in 2014.

Earlier in her remarks, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, urged journalists to embrace AI to enhance performance and productivity.

Comrade Ike harped on the importance of AI in every field of endeavour, and pointed out that AI has been adopted by colleagues in other climes to harness their potential and work seamlessly.

She commended Chevron Nigeria for organizing the workshop to enhance media reportage in nation building, leveraging on AI to enhance efficiency, including setting agenda and having an informed public discourse.

“We stand at a transformative moment in the history of journalism. Artificial Intelligence, AI, is no longer a distant concept but a powerful tool reshaping how we gather, verify, and deliver news”.

“AI enhances our ability to analyze vast data, detect misinformation, and engage audiences more effectively. It offers unprecedented opportunities to improve the speed, accuracy, and reach of our reporting”.

She also maintained that the capacity building is an imperative for all journalists, hence the need to “embrace innovation, uphold integrity, and lead the transformation of journalism in Nigeria and beyond. With the right mindset and tools, we can harness AI to tell stories that matter, faster and more accurately, while preserving the trust of our audiences.”

One of the resource persons, the Deputy Director, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Busola Ajibola, while speaking on the topic, ‘Leveraging On Artificial intelligence to enhance Journalism in Nigeria’ said journalists who fail to leverage on AI would have their jobs threatened, therefore, he said they should be proactive to embrace trending innovations and technologies to improve their skills and knowledge.

Another resource person, Dr Lemmy Ughegbe, speaking on the topic, ‘Mental Health Of Journalists in the Era of Social Media’, pointed out that Social Media creates opportunity and is a threat at the same time, hence journalists need to understand these facts as they do their jobs.

Ughegbe highlighted opportunities of social media, including faster news dissemination, direct audience engagement, easier sourcing and verification, and new forms of storytelling.

By Nkiru Okeke