UNESCO, MAIN Wrap Up Workshop, Establish Nigeria MIL Media Executives Network
By Bukar BOLORI
Following an intensive training workshop for Media Executives in North-West Nigeria, on Integrating Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into Editorial Policy and Guidelines of media organisations, the Nigeria MIL Media Executives Network (NiMMEN) has been established as one of the strategic outcomes of the training.
Facilitated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Media Awareness and Information For All Network (MAIN), the newly established MIL advocacy group, is aimed at ensuring the operationalisation of the principles and competencies of MIL in media operations in Nigeria.
To steer the affairs of the NiMMEN, participants unanimously nominated the General Manager, Katsina State Television (KTTV), Mallam Abba Zayyan as the Interim National Coordinator.
Zayyan, a graduate of Education Technology from the Prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication from ABU and master’s degree in international Affairs and Diplomacy as well as Master of Philosophy in International Relations all from ABU Zaria.
Malam Zayyan has worked in major radio stations in Nigeria culminating to his appointment as Zonal Director Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
Until his present appointment he was the Director of Sports and Outside Broadcast.
He comes with an experience spanning over three decades in the broadcasting industry.
Speaking on the establishment of NiMMEN, the UNESCO representative at the workshop, Ms Yachat Nuhu, explained that the establishment of the Nigeria MIL Media Executives Network was strategic in view of the need for every media organisation in Nigeria to develop a MIL-compliant editorial policy to engender information integrity.
“We want the media executives on board as we journey towards achieving a media landscape that is devoid of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. We will be at the back seat to provide technical support, as always.” She said.
In his acceptance speech, Mallam Zayyan, thanked UNESCO and MAIN for the training and midwifing the establishment of the Network; and all participants for the confidence reposed in him to lead the association.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing advocacy for MIL integration into media operations not only in the North-West but across Nigeria.
The Chairman of MAIN, Prof. Jide Jimoh, congratulated all participants for unanimously embracing the idea of the Network, and Mallam Zayyan for accepting to lead.
