No fewer than 300 participants underwent a two-day media training course by Vision Africa Media Institute, themed “Image Makers: Shaping Culture, Inspiring Change Through Media,” in Umuahia, Abia State’s capital.
Declaring the 2025 edition of the training open, the state governor, Dr Alex Otti had urged the sponsors, foreign partners, resource persons, and the participants to reflect on the significance of the moment
Represented by the commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, he said the media doesn’t just report the news, it defines the atmosphere, it doesn’t just reflect culture, it reconstructs it.
He said, “The media has become the respondent to perception, the referee in public discussions, and the mirror through which Abians see their government, their state, and indeed themselves.
“And here in Abia, where we are redefining governance under the new agenda, we see the media as a strategic partner in this collective journey of restoration, transformation, reconstruction.”
While commending Vision Africa Media for sustaining the training, the commissioner assured of the government’s commitment to partnering with media organisations in the state.
Delivering the keynote speech, the president/CEO National Religious Broadcasters, USA, Troy Miller described content creators as agents of cultural definition and transformation.
He said they shape how people see themselves and their world, adding that by telling stories that reflect both challenges and hopes, media professionals contribute to public understanding, shared values, and national unity.
In a goodwill message, the coordinating director of the National Broadcasting Commission, Susan Obi, underscored the need for media practitioners to be intentional about the information they feed their audience with.
“Broadcasting is not an all-comers profession. It is profession that has responsibilities. And I am hoping that after now when you go back to your offices, you will realise that we help people make informed choices.
“We should be intentional about the information we are putting out. Are they information that will help or harm people? Is the information right and authentic? How will it help your audience?” she said.
Earlier in an address, the president of Vision Africa, Bishop Ndukwe Onuoha explained that the annual training creates platform for media practitioners to interact with each other and widen their scope of knowledge.
He expressed appreciation to the US partners of the training for consistently upgrading the contents of the topics to meet the demands of the media industry and the other stateholders.
The Methodist Church of Nigeria Bishop, also lauded the governor for his achievements within two years in office.
