By Daniels Ekugo
Arrangements are now in top gear for the 2019 Nigerian Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Capacity Building and Training workshop scheduled to hold before the second quarter of this year.
The annual training workshop which is designed to boost human capacity for journalists reporting the automotive sector in the country is the fourth edition in the series.
It would be recalled that while Ford Motors South Africa (FMCSA) in collaboration with Coscharis Motors; its local franchisee, were the lead sponsors of the first and second editions held in 2016 and 2017, while Stallion Motors Nigeria Limited in tandem with Nissan Motors South Africa emerged as the lead sponsor of the 2018 NAJA Capacity Building/Training programme.
According to Julie Chi-Nwaoha, head of this year’s NAJA capacity building /training committee, this year’s event will be segmented into sessions cutting across test-drive, safety, automotive, tyre maintenance, lubricants, auto insurance, photography and government policy.
Chi-Nwaoha who pointed out that the event will also provide avenue for critical stakeholders in the auto industry to rub minds on the way forward, said that the auto industry is one fundamental industry in Nigeria that one cannot ignore because of the huge contributions to the nation’s economy. She therefore, emphasized that there is need for consistent training and retraining for motoring journalists who cover the beat.
On how the training can benefit journalists and stakeholders, Chi-Nwaoha stated that, there is no way NAJA can finish the training programme and remain the same.
“Journalism is wide and we must open ourselves to consistent training and retraining. It is important that journalists writing about the automotive sector are well informed; they must be well educated and empowered to write effectively without fears”, Chi-Nwaoha added.
Also commenting on the training programme, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma said the annual training workshop has being a very big eye opener to its members as knowledgeable and competent instructors drawn from the different sectors of the automotive sectors including the academia and those from government and private sectors are always be on hand to give their best to members.
The NAJA training workshop is an annual training programme organised to refresh the minds of practicing auto journalists on the trend of auto journalism worldwide. Members of the association cuts across over reputable print, electronic and online media outfits across the country.
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