In a bold move to raise media standards and combat the rising tide of misinformation, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has officially launched a two-day intensive UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) training workshop for journalists, senior media managers, and social media content creators.
The workshop, which took place in Kano, is a strategic collaboration between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Kano State Government, aimed at equipping media professionals with critical tools for ethical reporting, content verification, and public accountability.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Comrade Waiya described the training as a timely intervention, noting the increasing vulnerability of societies to fake news, misinformation, and sensational content—particularly on unregulated digital platforms.
“This training is not just about improving skills,” Waiya declared. “It is about instilling a culture of responsibility, accuracy, and accountability in our media practices. In this age of unchecked information flow, Media and Information Literacy must be our foundation.”
The Commissioner decried the prevalence of unverified social media content that often distorts facts and sows division, citing a recent case where a government engagement was misreported, leading to widespread public confusion. He emphasized the need for trained professionals to lead the fight against misinformation and to uphold journalistic integrity in both traditional and digital media.
“Everyone now wants to go viral—even at the cost of truth and societal harmony,” he said. “But through proper training and continuous education, we can empower our journalists and influencers to be ethical gatekeepers of public discourse.”
The Commissioner also highlighted ongoing initiatives under his administration, including the training of over 200 social media influencers in collaboration with Bayero University’s Faculty of Communication. He revealed that additional workshops are in the pipeline as part of the Ministry’s broader commitment to restoring public confidence in media institutions and enhancing professional capacity among communicators.
Under Waiya’s leadership, the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs has launched a multi-pronged campaign to promote media literacy, fact-checking culture, and ethical standards. This includes partnerships with regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and international organizations like UNESCO.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Jide Jimoh, Chairman of the Media Awareness and Information for All Network (MAIN), underscored the significance of integrating Media and Information Literacy into editorial policies. He said the training will strengthen the credibility of newsrooms and empower journalists to serve the public interest more effectively.
Similarly, Malam Adamu Yahaya, Kano State Coordinator of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and the Head of the UNESCO Abuja Office, expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for journalists and content creators to embrace digital responsibility in an era of instant information dissemination.
In closing, Comrade Waiya reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering support for any initiative that advances truthful journalism, enhances the professional growth of media practitioners, and safeguards the integrity of public information.
“This is more than a workshop—it’s a movement towards building a more informed, united, and resilient society,” he stated.
For more stories on governance, media development, and public policy in Northern Nigeria, follow Public Eye News.
