Reporters covering the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are undergoing a United States (US) sponsored workshop for the 2015 general elections.
US ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle, said the five-day training, in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), was part of the his country’s efforts towards perfecting Nigeria’s democracy.
Ambassador Entwistle, while declaring open the workshop yesterday in Abuja, said the US embassy was collaborating with INEC to ensure a transparent and secured election in 2015.
“The United States stands with Nigeria on your journey towards perfecting your democracy, I want to make it clear that we do so as your friends and partners. You have many friends and partners who want Nigeria to succeed, and the U.S. stands at the front of that line.” [eap_ad_2]
He said the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States were “solid examples” of stakeholders’ commitment to successful elections in Nigeria.
The training, with the theme: “Professional Journalism and Electoral Process” is being facilitated by a renowned American journalist, Mr Eduardo Cue, who the US ambassador said had garnered “extensive international reporting experience.”
NUJ President Muhammad Garba described Nigerian journalists as critical to the sustenance of democracy which, according to him, makes their role in the 2015 elections more indispensable to the nation.
Garba thanked the US embassy for the training and called for the insurance and security of journalists covering elections.[eap_ad_3]
