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The World Health Organisation (WHO), Oyo State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State Chapter, trained journalists in the state, which on COVID-19 pandemic, Monkey pox, yellow fever, Cholera and other diseases, vaccination and more importantly Infodemic for Oyo State journalists.
The training, which was graced by journalists from major print, broadcast and online media houses in the state, was to strengthen and broaden the knowledge of journalists on the diseases in the state and to set agenda for sensitising the public.
Speaking, the Chairperson Oyo NAWOJ, Comrade Jadesola Ajibola, urged all tiers of government, security agencies and development partners to recognise journalists as frontline workers during emergencies.
She noted that journalists usually play important roles during emergencies such as the outbreak of pandemics like COVID-19, cholera, Monkey pox, during wars and crises just like other professionals like medical workers and security agents.
The NAWOJ chairperson advised that journalists should be given incentives like other professionals because they too play significant roles, especially during the heat of COVID-19.
“We need to recognise journalists as frontline workers during emergencies. We should be seen and addressed as frontline workers and should be given hazard allowances.
“We report and do a lot of sacrifices and work during the COVID-19 period just like health workers and other professionals but when the government want to give incentives and donate items, they give it to health workers not minding that journalists are the one reporting all these events.
“We want the government and WHO and other agencies to see journalists as part of the people at the fore front during emergencies,” she said.
Addressing the gathering, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Akinfemi Akinyode, explained that the training was organised to ensure that journalists have the necessary information about COVID-19 and other diseases.
“This training was organised to ensure that journalists have necessary information to give to the public. So that appropriate message can be passed to the members of the public,” he said.
Aside from Akinyode, those in attendance at State Incident Manager for COVID-19, Dr Oluwabukola Alawale; State Incident Manager for Tuberculosis, Dr Adeniyi Adeniran; Dr Oluyinka Dania, Cluster consultant; and Mr. John Akinoye, State Liason Officer, NCDC.
