Auto Journalists institute Annual Training for Members

The Nigerian Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the umbrella body of all journalists in Nigeria covering the automobile/automotive industry, has concluded plans to facilitate an annual training workshop for its members, in collaboration with industry stakeholders. The 2-day training, maiden edition, which is scheduled to hold in the last week of June, is to enhance the participating journalists’ knowledge and depth of reporting the industry and also equip them with necessary intellectual tools with which to analyze critical issues as it affects the automobile and allied industries. Speaking on the training/ workshop, NAJA Chairman, Frank Kintum said the importance of the training workshop cannot be overemphasized, especially for reporters in the fast evolving automobile industry in the country. He said: “We realize that it is only when reporters are well versed in their jobs that they can ask the right questions and better inform the public and when people are well informed, they are more likely to make better investment decisions that will benefit the economy. So it is a win-win all round.” According to him, the rationale for the upcoming training is to encourage continuous learning among journalists to move them from the level of reporting to analysis. “We see it as a career building platform for the journalists,” Kintum stated further. “Also, the more you invest in journalists, the more you attract investors’ interests, because investors will make decisions based on what they read.” Resource persons are expected from top professionals within the automobile and allied industries. Already, some auto companies and related government agencies have keyed into the training, just as others are being expected to also support the training.