PwC engages journalists in energy, cybersecurity, 2023 general election reporting in its 9th annual media workshop
Oredola Adeola
PwC Nigeria, a leading professional services firm, has engaged more than 80 journalists in Nigeria on cybersecurity as well as fair and balanced media coverage aimed at strengthening the accuracy of reporting 2023 general elections, while also promoting informed electoral analyses on critical national issues including energy and economy.
The one-day journo workshop held virtually on Friday, was attended by EnergyDay and other participants drawn from across both traditional and new media platforms.
The PwC’s 9th annual Capability Enhancement Workshop for journalists featured insightful presentations on various topics by subject matter specialists with the aim of building the capacity of journalists and enhancing their ability to execute their duties effectively while also better positioning themselves to take advantage of future opportunities.
According to PwC Nigeria, the annual workshop, which is now in its ninth year, with over 500 journalists benefiting from the training over the years, is a major component of the company’s Corporate Responsibility Strategy(CSR).
PwC revealed that the workshop was instituted in recognition of the very important role of the media in society and in particular, the role that the media in Nigeria has and continues to play in informing and educating the public.
The presentations at the workshop included a session on “National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy: Implications for the media” facilitated by Nkiru Aimienoho, Associate Director Cybersecurity, Privacy & Resilience, PwC Nigeria.
Nkiru in the Cybersecurity session provided a brief history of the national cyber strategies and policies and then delved into details of the National Cyber Security Policy & Strategy for Nigeria, highlighting the implications for the media. The session also highlighted the risk of cyber attacks in media and entertainment and used a number of real-life incidences to draw out key lessons.
Dr. Andrew S. Nevin Partner & Chief Economist at PwC Nigeria facilitated a session on “Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2021-2025: Lessons from the past and insights for the future”.
The session provided a general overview of the current state of the Nigerian economy and reviewed past national development plans before going into a detailed analysis of Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021-2025). It also used a case study of Vietnam to discuss some of the challenges and solutions to development planning in Nigeria.
Taiwo Oyedele, Fiscal Policy Partner & Africa Tax Leader, PwC in his opening remarks at the session said, “Our support for the media through this workshop and the media excellence award is in line with our purpose which is to build trust in society and solve important problems.
The PwC’s Fiscal Policy Partner & Africa Tax Leader who facilitated the final session discussed “Reporting Politics and the Economy: Critical questions and expectations for Nigeria’s next political leaders”.
During the session relevant for the time as campaigns commence for the 2023 general election, Mr. Oyedele took the participants through the most critical issues for the country which should guide journalists in their coverage of the campaign, analysis of the candidates’ manifestos, and reporting of the news during the election season.
The capacity enhancement workshop precedes the award Gala-nite for the announcement of winners of this year’s PwC Media Excellence Awards, which is scheduled to also hold virtually on Thursday 6 October 2022.
