United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has stressed the importance of developmental journalism with a focus on highlighting how issues of public interest for solutions.
The assertion was made by the UNFPA State Programme Officer, Bauchi, Deborah Tabara in a goodwill message she delivered at the validation meeting of strategic plan by a Bauchi-based CSO, Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) on Tuesday held at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Impressed by the performance of members of J4PD, Deborah Tabara stated that the CSO had done tremendously well in publicizing UNFPA activities in 2024, which has attracted positive attention.
She added that UNFPA is keen on ensuring that interventions by the international development partners are adequately publicised for more funding.
In her words, “J4PD has done so well in 2024; the partnership started like a joke, very casual; today, we have built a virile working relationship,, and we are moving to the next level.”
According to her, “Your various reports have attracted attention even in UNFPA headquarters; it has gone a long way to open more doors of funding fointentionalonal activities. You are doing a great job.”
She then commended the J4PD for developing a strategic plan, saying that was the best thing to do to achieve the set objectives of the organisation, urging to ensure that the plan, after validation, is fully implemented.
Also speaking, Chairman, Bauchi State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Umar Sa’idu commended UNFPA for supporting Journalists to perform their professional functions in the state through the various programmes.
Umar Sa’idu also commended members of the J4PD who are working Journalists with interest in health reporting saying that their impact is being felt positively in the state.
The NUJ Chairman urged them to keep it for the good of the people of the state stressing that information is power and it must be adequately given and relayed.
In her remarks, Executive Director of J4PD, Elizabeth Kah commended UNFPA for collaborative support on the function of the organization stressing that the partnership has really been an encouraging opportunity.
Elizabeth Kah added that with support from UNFPA, J4PD will function effectively in its chosen area of focus, assuring that members are committed to professionalism and effective service delivery.
