Self Help Africa has launched the WASH Media Network in Kano, kicking off the initiative with a training program for journalists aimed at strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems across the region.
The three-day training programme, organized under the WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) initiative, was supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom.
The training, themed “The Role of the Media in Strengthening WASH Systems in Kano State”, aimed to bridge the information gap between policymakers, service providers and communities affected by poor WASH services.
During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Abdullahi Jalaludeen of FRCN Kano was appointed as Chairman of the WASH Media Network.
In his acceptance speech, Jalaludeen expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in him and pledged to work collaboratively to amplify WASH messages and improve systems in Kano State.
“I believe we will be able to use your skill and expertise to push WASH in Kano state forward. We trust in your capacity to ensure we collaborate to ensure sustainable development in Kano state,” he said.
Mr. Wale Elekolusi, National Coordinator of WASH Media Network, stated that the programme was designed to build journalists’ capacity to serve as watchdogs, storytellers and advocates in promoting improved WASH services in Kano State.
Elekolusi urged journalists to embrace critical and fact-based reporting when highlighting WASH-related issues across the state.
“The initiative aims to bridge the information gap between policymakers, service providers and communities affected by poor WASH services,” he explained.
Mrs. Theola Amiokhaibhor, Communication Officer at Self Help Africa, emphasized that the training focused on equipping journalists with skills to report accurately and constructively on sanitation and hygiene challenges.
“We recognise the critical role the media plays in driving advocacy and public engagement on sanitation issues,” she said.
The workshop featured sessions on data journalism, investigative reporting and WASH policy analysis to enhance participants’ reporting capabilities.
Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher of BONews, highlighted the importance of using data to amplify WASH stories during her presentation. She explained that data journalism helps transform complex datasets into easily understood news stories and articles.
Oladunjoye facilitated three key sessions including “Mapping Opportunities for WASH Reporting,” “Digital Tools for WASH Storytelling (Digital Journalism),” and “Developing Pitches for Development Stories.”
Other facilitators included Mr. Mustapha Husseini, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics and WASH Focal Person at Kano State Ministry of Water Resources, Ferdinand Anok, Senior WASH Institutional Strengthening Officer at Self Help Africa, and Ezekiel Sukumun, Kano State Coordinator for Self Help Africa.