Mass Communication students of the Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, have been trained on gender mainstreaming in reportage.
The training, which was convened by Olufisoye Adenitan, Principal Reporter and Presenter at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), was held under the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Report Women Female Reporters Leadership project, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The training sought to empower journalism students to break barriers and challenge stereotypes in the media houses.
In his welcome remark, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Olasebikan Fakolujo, expressed delight in the opportunity for the school to be part of the knowledge sharing for a better representation of women in the media.
Professor Fakolujo noted that the school was working out modalities to establish a radio station soon.
The convener of the program, Mrs. Olufisoye Adenitan, said the essence of the program is to raise the consciousness of mass communication students to the need for gender mainstreaming in the newsrooms.
Dr Raphael Abimbola, a Guest Lecturer who spoke about gender mainstreaming in the Media, pointed out the prevalence of male denomination in the media space.
On his part, Mr Adenitan Akinola Charles, the second Guest Lecturer, noted that to achieve diversity and inclusivity in the newsroom, young female Mass communication students must be imbibed with basic strategies such as mentoring, empowerment, and regular training.
Earlier, the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jabu, Professor Tokunbo Adaja, Commended the organisers and convener of the program for a job well done.
Earlier the Host, the Head of Department Mass Communication JABU, Osun state , Dr Atinuke Akintayo appreciated the gesture on behalf of the vice chancellor and urged the students to make judicious use of the opportunity .