They came, and were exposed to modern journalism styles and tools, empowering them to stand out in the coverage of the forth coming governorship election in Kogi State. Twenty-six Journalists drawn from the print, electronic and online media taken away from their comfort zone in Lokoja to Abuja, the nation’s capital to drink from the fountain of media experts.

The two – day media roundtable/engagement was refreshing, engaging and rewarding. Of course, it is easy to determine whether a medication used to take an ailment is effective from the reaction of the patient.

Mr. Sunny Adebija, a correspondent with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria speaking on how he intends to deploy to use what he learned in the last two days said:” I have gained a lot of knowledge especially with the use of perplexity.AI application and how to cast headlines using the Explainer.

“Other areas I have also gained knowledge are election coverage safety and preparation as well as gender sensitive reportage and giving equal opportunities to all political parties”, he said adding that:” the workshop has opened my eye to using my reports to answer question. When I return back to my state, the first thing I will do as the political correspondent will be to do reports, what electorates should know about the candidates and a host of others”.

Mr. Adebija who appreciated the IPC :” for the opportunity given to me to participate in the workshop was echoing the position of other participants at the workshop.

Mrs. Grace Ben Kato, of the Graphics newspaper said :”the past two days has enriched my knowledge on reporting elections, red flags to look out for and the use of digital tools and apps in reporting. Mr. Taiwo Obe and Hamza Idris, Editor of Daily Trust, took us beyond mere reporting of news writing to the level of standing out as a journalist.
No doubt, I am going to make use of what I have learnt. There is a whole lot to experience in journalism expecially the use of AI and digital apps”.

For Mr. Yekini Jimoh, Nigerian Tribune, he testified that he has learnt a lot in terms of accurate reporting, The facilitators taught us that we should always make sure that we don’t put our lives at risk just because we want story.
His words: “We should avoid being being sponsored by any party while doing an investigative story”, he stressed.

Mr. Ibrahim Obansa, Guardian newspaper was emphatic that :”The training was very impactful. I am now well equipped to cover the Kogi off – circle election. I have also learnt that we are supposed to be security cautious, avoid fake news or disinformation and giving voices to people living with disability. “The programme afforded us the opportunity to interact with the Kogi REC and the police spokesperson”, he said.

Alhaji Ambah Gold Tunde Rahman of The Herald Newspaper said :” he learnt scientific approach to newsgathering and reporting. That I can be creative and stand out on my own without reliance on my authority”.

Ms. Anne Olurinde, Chairperson NAWOJ, Kogi state said: “Its been a refreshing time in the last two days as regards to the journalism profession. “I have been made to understand that when you give people the information they need it better to take decisions they make about their lives. Also I have been taught to allow questions to drive my news headlines “,she stressed.

A good number of the participants would have loved to have been exposed to the kind of knowledge they got in the two day workshop some years ago stressing that it would have been extremely useful in educating Kogi state electorates of election and avoiding election violence. For them, the negative perception of Kogi state in terms of election violence would be attended to in their reportage before, during and after the election.