Sterling One Foundation has partnered Microsoft Nigeria, Sterling Bank, The Sun Media, Oando Foundation, Coca Cola and other private sector organizations to launch a transformative capacity-strengthening workshop for the media.
The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe said in a statement that the goal of the workshop was to empower the media to escalate the urgency of the climate change crisis through their reportage.
Ibekwe added that the two-day workshop with the theme: “Achieving the SDGs: Strengthening Media Capacities for Effective Reportage,” was aimed at equipping media professionals and journalists with the skills and knowledge required to amplify narratives on climate adaptation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ibekwe said that the International Day for Climate Action, underscored the foundation’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and environmental stewardship by launching the initiative.
She said the workshop served as a response to the global challenge of climate change which poses a significant risk to human health and well-being, affecting various aspects of society, economics, and the natural world.
Quoting statistics from the United in Science report, Ibekwe said from 1970 to 2021, almost 12,000 recorded disasters, associated with extreme weather, climate, and water-related incidents, led to over two million casualties and a staggering $4.3 trillion in economic losses.
She added that projections from the World Health Organization indicated that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is poised to contribute to approximately 250,000 additional annual fatalities, primarily attributed to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
Ibekwe stressed that empowering the media with the necessary tools to address these pressing issues was important.
She said that the training was more than just a conventional capacity-building exercise; adding that it served as a resolute call to action.
“With only seven years remaining until 2030, complacency and the status quo are no longer sustainable.
“It is now imperative for both the media and private sector working with stakeholders to proactively address the challenges posed by climate change.
“In line with this commitment, the Sterling One Foundation has taken on the responsibility of providing comprehensive training to over 100 journalists, utilizing both in-person and virtual formats, with a specific focus on the northeastern regions of the country,” she said.
“The two-day media capacity-strengthening workshop featured in-depth sessions covering an array of topics, including editorial issues, the art of effective climate reporting, and sustainable environmental practices.
“Distinguished facilitators at the event included Victor Emeruwa, Chief Executive Officer of The Sun Media Foundation, Fidelis Mbah, Senior Journalist, AI Jazeera English TV, and Seun Akioye, Executive Director, Development Reporter.
The statement also quoted Ola Williams, Microsoft Nigeria’s Country Manager, as expressing her satisfaction with the training’s achievements and its anticipated societal impact.
Williams underscored Microsoft’s collaboration with various sectors and foundations that share the organization’s mission of effecting positive change by providing nationwide training opportunities to empower individuals.
“Microsoft is committed to working with key stakeholders across both the public and private sector to escalate the importance of the climate crisis.
“The goal of this two-day workshop was to serve as a catalyst for change, fostering an environment where the media assumed a central role in helping to combat climate change and advocate for sustainable practices.
” By bringing together industry experts and thought leaders, we created a platform for fruitful discussions, knowledge sharing, and strategic collaborations, with the potential to drive positive momentum in sustainability efforts and climate action,” Williams said.
