The Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has opened the 3rd Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) to enhance the skills of journalists and media practitioners, ensuring a high standard of professionalism across the country.

in her remarks at the openeing ceremony on tuesday, September 10, 2024, she said, “MoI in collaboration with the University of Media Arts and Communications (UniMAC) seek to position the media to play its role effectively as the fourth estate in our governance system. The programme aligns with one of the key strategic objectives of the Ministry, which is to improve the participation of civil society in our national development.”

“Key beneficiaries of the programme are reporters, commentators, producers, directors, social media executives, anchors, editors, owners of media organisations, media critics, analysts and civil society organisations.”

Mrs Fatimatu Abubakar noted that the training was essential in enhancing the media professionalism and supporting the country’s democratic processes.

She urged journalists to avoid partisan stunts and adhere to the ethics of the profession.

She stated, “The media is a powerful tool that carries great responsibility. Uphold honesty and truth in your work. As journalists, it is essential to remain dedicated to the ethical standards of the profession.”

The Minister further advised the participants to make the most of the training because the knowledge and experiences gained would help them advance in their careers.

“Take in the richness of knowledge, participate actively and learn from the esteemed facilitators, the tools gained from the programme would enable you to make meaningful contributions to the nation’s progress,” she added.

The 2024 MCEP, themed “Equipping the Media to Play an Effective Role in Nation Building,” focused on training 100 journalists from various media houses across the country.