The National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA has trained 50 women Journalists drawn from the North Western part of Nigeria on digital Journalism.
The Agency has also distributed 50 sets of computer laptops to the participants with the view to motivate them to embrace the trend of digital technology in their profession.
The training workshop was held at Jigawa state 3 Star hotel Dutse. Declaring the workshop open, the Director General NITDA, Malam Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa, represented by Mr Bashir Ibrahim said the decision to select Jigawa is considering the serenity and passion it has for hosting information and communications technology (ICT) programmes.
He explained that, the purpose of the training is to create awareness on the potentialities of ICT in journalism and transform the profession especially among women journalists, thereby making it more effective and efficient for them to compete with other prominent global media gladiators.
Mr Bashir added that NITDA, being responsible for regulation and promotion of ICT practice in Nigeria, has taken interest to fully sponsor the program in order to equip the participants with skills and tools required to counter the hazard associated with cyber attacks through identifying types of online threats and deploying ways to mitigate them.
He congratulated the participants and hoped that the skills acquired during the workshop will be optimally utilized and ensures that the participants will be good ambassadors to the agency.
In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalist Jigawa State Chapter, Hajiya Hauwa Ladan, appreciated the effort of Mal Kashif Inuwa Abdullahi, stating that NITDA has empowered millions of aspiring young people through digital skills and that has created more jobs and lifted people out of poverty.
The Chairperson added that in Jigawa alone, NITDA has trained 1500 students and teachers of English and Mathematics on ICT and has constructed more ICT centres.
She commended the exemplary gestures of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Isah Pantami.