The Executive Director of Stallion Times Media Services
Stallion Times Media Services Limited, publishers of an online news platform based in Kano, has held a one-day training session on the effective use of social media for media professionals and civil society organisations (CSOs) working from Kano State.
The training was conducted under the “Get Involved, Dialogue and Improve (G-DRIP)” project, which focuses on governance and media literacy in Kano and Kogi states. Different media professionals and representatives of civil society organizations attended the training.
Addressing participants, Mallam Ahmed Isiyaku, the Executive Director of Stallion Times Media Services and project coordinator for G-DRIP, explained that the workshop was conceived to address a visible void.
Mr. Isiyaku lamented that many individuals, especially journalists and CSOs, tend to trivialize their social media presence by sharing content of personal amusement, rather than using the platform to create impactful content that fosters positive change. He highlighted that such behavior could even expose them to substantial security risks.
He questioned the rationale behind publicizing personal secrets on social media or disclosing sensitive information to others who might exploit it asserting that these concerns underscored the necessity for the workshop, which aimed to equip journalists and media professionals with the skills to generate compelling content for social media. He emphasized that civil society organizations, which are equally capable of contributing meaningful narratives, could utilize social media to amplify their grassroots activities.
“We believe this approach can lead to significant impact, contributing to the advocacy for good governance, anti-corruption, and overall development,” he concluded.
Regarding his post-workshop expectations, Mr. Isiyaku expressed confidence that participants would sustain the momentum generated during the training. He cited instances of participants already applying their newfound knowledge by creating videos, animations, infographics, and concise, attention-grabbing posts. Saying this was the kind of progress he is eager to witness, he stated that subsequent phase will be directed at specific target audiences or stakeholders.
Mallam Isah Ali Musa, the workshop facilitator, commended the participants for their rapid comprehension of the workshop’s content. He underscored the contemporary necessity for journalists and CSOs to possess the skills to craft compelling narratives that engage their audiences and enable them to hold governments at the local, state, and federal levels accountable.
Mallam Musa alerted participants to the impending challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their respective fields, urging them to elevate their competencies to remain relevant.
The training was carried out under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusion and Accountability (CMEDIA) Project supported by the McArthur Foundation through the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)
