By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, Nov. 18, 2024
Journalists in Abia have called for enhanced inclusion of the media in the State Government’s Human Capital Development (HCD) commitments.
The call is contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day HCD training programme organised for media workers and state information personnel by the Abia Civil Service Commission in Umuahia.
The communique is signed by the Communique Committee Coordinator and Secretary, Mr. Ijendu Iheaka and Mr. Divine Nwankwo respectively.
Iheaka is the Abia State Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while Nwankwo is the Assistant Head of Information and Press Unit of Abia Government House.
The communique stated that the training focused on four thematic areas, which include: education, health and nutrition, labour force participation and agriculture.
It also described the efforts made by the State Government through the Commission to empower journalists in the state through the HCD training as commendable.
The communique stated that the media had resolved to support the government’s efforts to meet its HCD commitments, as it concerned the thematic areas by developing and publishing impactful stories.
It emphasised the media’s readiness to collaborate with the government to facilitate the achievement of Abia HCD target, and recommended that journalists should be appointed as members of relevant committees and in service positions for expanded public enlightenment on government’s progress.
It advocated that financial provisions should be made for the media in the 2025 Abia Budget to drive the government’s HCD Research and Reporting activities, and further recommended that: “The media should be integrated into the State’s information and data gathering mechanism with regular interface and press briefings on updates in HCD activities in Abia.
“The Abia Government should ensure sustained trainings and workshops at a pace convenient to it, to enhance efficient participation of journalists in the operations of HCD coverage areas.
“The Abia Government should develop a Communication Strategy to enhance the HCD initiative as well as put in place mechanism for regular HCD briefings.
“The Abia Government should encourage public-private partnerships for Human Capital Development in the state”.
