By Uloma Peace Okorie
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to empowering women in the media, as she successfully facilitated a capacity-building workshop for over 100 female journalists across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The one-day training, which took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Secretariat in Utako, brought together women journalists from various media organizations, including print, broadcast, and online platforms.
The workshop, themed “Workplace Diversification,” was designed to expand the knowledge base of female journalists and help them adapt to the growing demands of modern journalism. Participants were exposed to discussions on newsroom innovation, professional ethics, gender inclusivity, and the role of the media in nation-building.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Walson-Jack emphasized the indispensable role journalists play in shaping public opinion and supporting ongoing government reforms. She noted that the effectiveness of government policies often depends on how well they are communicated to the public, placing journalists especially women at the forefront of this responsibility.
According to her, the need for journalists to “promote and properly communicate government reforms, particularly within the newsroom where most write-ups are originated, can never be overemphasized.”
She stressed that factual reporting is vital for sustaining public trust and strengthening democratic governance, urging participants to embrace accuracy, objectivity, and fairness in their work.
Mrs. Walson-Jack also commended the Nawoj FCT Council for creating a platform that recognizes the contributions of women in the media industry. She highlighted that empowering female journalists not only enriches the profession but also promotes workplace diversity, which is essential for balanced reporting and national development.
Participants expressed gratitude for the training, describing it as timely, insightful, and enriching. Many noted that the sessions broadened their understanding of how inclusivity and professional development can enhance newsroom performance.
The event underscores the federal government’s ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusion, build media capacity, and ensure that journalists—especially women—are well-equipped to disseminate accurate, reliable, and development-oriented information to the public.