Kanem Press Digital Hub has conducted a two-day training for non-governmental organisations focusing on sub-national issues in education, health; and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) challenges within IDP camps and host communities of Yobe and Borno states.
Conducted on November 21 and 22, 2022, the training was aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable women, youth, and children, promoting welfare activities to alleviate human suffering, and overall amelioration of society especially for the poor, helpless, and the weak.
The event promoted the current WASH services provided to IDPs, identifying the needs and gaps in water, sanitation, and hygiene services with priorities to those living in camps or villages and orienting their strategy response through evidence-based decision-making.
Mr. Zannah Ibrahim Mustapha, President/Founder of Kanempress, disclosed that since its inception, the organization has conducted four different training workshops in the North Eastern parts of Borno and Yobe States respectively aimed at exploiting issues hindering their returnee communities which include healthcare services and Education as well as WASH Challenges.
He encouraged youths to ensure synergy in displaying their talents and assured them of establishing the Kanem press office within their states with a view to training a multitude of young, talented individual journalists to report challenges in their immediate environments.
One of the resource persons, Dr. Baba Kura Mamman Gadai, a senior lecturer at the Department of the Education, University of Maiduguri, enjoined participants to report challenges pertaining to accessibility and enrollment of children in schools within the Lake Chad region.
Another resource person Dr. Grema Kyari presented a paper on retention in the education sector and the challenges of retention towards sustainability.
Also, Dr. Gare Alhaji who presented a paper on WASH challenges said, it is the responsibility of all and sundry to ensure the provision of potable water and sanitation. He also touched on the challenges involved.
Aisha Isa Othman, from Borno State, a primary health care development agency, gave an overview of the Lake Chad Region, pre-insurgency, and the challenges of the post-insurgency on the health needs of vulnerable population and the way forward.
Dr. Yahaya Tijani of the Department of Biochemistry/HR manager at Swift Relief Foundation focused his presentation on common health problems among the IDPs, which he said are mainly due to diminished proper structured health system, portable drinking water, relevant information transmission using proper communication channels, organised shelter, and implementation of organisational and government policies with regards to protection.
The Special Assistant to Borno State Governor and Personal Assistant to Her Excellency Borno State first lady, in her paper dwelled thoroughly on the importance of portable water to human life. She commended the effort of Borno State and international donors.
On behalf of the participants, Director Information Borno State House of Assembly Aji Modu thanked the Kanem press Digital hub and partners for the opportunity and knowledge gained as well as assured to use them for the betterment of themselves and society.
This workshop was held with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusion and Accountability project (CMEDIA) funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
