YOLA, Adamawa State — Over 50 journalists from various media organisations in Adamawa State have been trained on effective reporting of police reform and accountability in a workshop organised by Partners West Africa Nigeria (P-WAN) in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative.
The 12-hour capacity-building workshop, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), was held at City Green Hotel, Yola, under the project titled “Enhancing Public Trust and Gender-Responsive Policing in Nigeria Through the Effective Implementation of the Police Act”.
The training aimed at strengthening the capacity of media practitioners by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools required for responsible and professional reporting on police accountability and reform processes in Nigeria.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Adamawa State Council, Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim, who delivered a goodwill message, commended Partners West Africa Nigeria for the initiative, describing it as timely and relevant.
He said the workshop would deepen journalists’ understanding of police reform issues and improve the quality of reportage in the state for better public understanding and information dissemination.
The NUJ Chairman urged journalists to remain committed to continuous learning and professionalism, stressing that the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception and strengthening democratic institutions.
One of the facilitators, Mr Aro Leonardo, said the training focused largely on the Police Act signed into law in 2020, which seeks to reposition the Nigeria Police Force for efficiency, accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
He emphasised the need for journalists to stay informed about legal and institutional reforms in order to educate the public accurately and avoid misinformation.
Mr Leonardo also highlighted the importance of solutions journalism and evidence-based reporting, advising journalists to rely on verified facts, data, and figures rather than rumours or speculation.
Mrs Folusho Ogar, another facilitator, discussed the need to humanise police officers in media reporting, noting that they are underfunded.
She called on journalists to recognise police officers as individuals with families and responsibilities who work under challenging conditions to safeguard society, noting that balanced and empathetic reporting would help build trust between the police and the public.
In her welcome address, Zainab Waziri, who represented the organisers, said the workshop was designed to empower journalists with practical skills for effective reporting on police accountability, reform initiatives, and gender-responsive policing.
Participants expressed appreciation to Partners West Africa Nigeria for the training, describing it as insightful and pledging to apply the knowledge gained in their professional practice.
The workshop also featured interactive group sessions and presentations, during which participants were divided into groups and assigned topics related to police reform and accountability, further reinforcing practical learning and peer engagement.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Adamawa State chapter, Comrade Felicia Amos Dauda, thanked P-WAN for the opportunity to learn on behalf of the participants and promised to disseminate the knowledge to their various media organisations.
The training comes at a time when police-community relations in Nigeria continue to face challenges, with calls for improved accountability, transparency, and human rights compliance becoming increasingly prominent in public discourse.
The 2020 Police Act represents significant reform legislation aimed at modernising Nigeria’s policing system and addressing long-standing concerns about accountability, oversight, and respect for citizens’ rights.
By equipping journalists with a deeper understanding of these reforms and the legal framework governing policing, P-WAN aims to improve media coverage that can contribute to more informed public debate and stronger accountability mechanisms.
The emphasis on gender-responsive policing reflects growing recognition of the need for police services to address the specific needs and concerns of women and vulnerable populations while promoting greater gender diversity within the police force itself.
