Sarah Agbon, Kaduna, Nigeria
The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) successfully hosted the 8th edition of its Africa Media Development Journalism Conference at the Asaa Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna December 4 to 5, 2024. This annual gathering brought together journalists, mass communication scholars, civil society leaders, development partners, and policy experts to discuss strategies for advancing development journalism across Africa.
Themed “Beyond Borders,” the two-day conference highlighted the critical role of development journalism in fostering societal progress and addressing pressing issues on the continent.
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DAY 1: Innovation and Collaboration in Journalism
The conference commenced with a keynote address by Prof. Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Gombe. Speaking on “Innovations and Solutions for the Future of Development Journalism,” Prof. Pate urged journalists to:
Embrace digital tools and modern practices to expand audience reach and generate revenue.
Continuously improve their skills and knowledge through reading, travel, and training.
Adapt to evolving trends to counter the decline of authentic journalism in the age of social media.
Key Panels and Discussions
Development Journalism and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): This session, facilitated by SightSavers, emphasized the need for journalist-organization collaboration to eradicate NTDs in Nigeria within five years.
Journalism Theory Meets Practice: Prof. Umar Faruk Jibril delivered an insightful paper on using journalism to empower grassroots communities, hold politicians accountable, and focus on human-interest stories.
Media and Disability Inclusion: Moderated by Salisu Ibrahim, this panel underscored the importance of eliminating stigma against persons with disabilities (PWDs), advocating for their inclusion in the workforce, and creating accessible public spaces.
Community-Based Dialogue for Sustainable Peace: The Nigerian Network Foundation (NNF) showcased successful community dialogue initiatives, calling for wider participation to promote peace and conflict resolution.
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DAY 2: Goodwill Messages and Specialized Panels
The second day opened with goodwill messages from notable speakers, including Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, Prof. Ayodele Joseph, and Francis Itodo, who encouraged journalists to prioritize accuracy and impactful storytelling to drive societal transformation.
Highlighted Sessions
Media and Mental Health: Dr. Kamaldeen Sani from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, emphasized the media’s responsibility in promoting mental health. He advocated for using sensitive language, cultural balance in reporting, and empathetic engagement with affected individuals.
Mainstreaming Disability in Development Journalism: Salisu Ibrahim shared his lived experiences as a PWD, calling for increased community awareness and media inclusivity.
Gender Inclusion: This women-led panel focused on empowering women in politics, supporting working mothers, and prioritizing girl-child education to curb early marriages.
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Recognition and Impact
The conference concluded with awards honoring exceptional development journalists whose work has significantly impacted African communities. The event reaffirmed the indispensable role of development journalism in addressing societal challenges, amplifying marginalized voices, and driving sustainable change across the continent.
As participants departed, the recurring message was clear: Africa’s journalists must continue to innovate, collaborate, and advocate for a brighter future.
Great job! Weldone!