PICTDA/ DEVROCK Communication organizes two days capacity training for Bloggers/Online Media personnel

PICTDA/ DEVROCK Communication organizes two days capacity training for Bloggers/Online Media personnel

The Plateau State Information & Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) in collaboration with Devrock Global Communications Ltd organizes a two-day intensive capacity building training on Strategic Communication for Bloggers on Plateau.

The event which took place at the mini hall of Steffans Hotel in Jos Plateau State Capital on the 2nd & 3rd of February, 2021.

Opening the event, the Director General Plateau State Information & Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA), Mr. David Daser reveals that the training was a deliberate effect of the Governor Simon Bako Lalong's administration through his agency to organize the capacity building training to Bloggers and online media gurus on the Plateau which will in turn harness their potentials for the benefit of the State.

Furthermore, the Director General also disclosed his dissatisfaction over the way and manner some people are using the social media to disseminates unhealthy and fake news which have a negative impact both on the people and government as a whole.

The ICT guru further use the opportunity to call on all peace loving people of Plateau State to as a matter of fact, use the cyberspace in a away that will bring about the unity and development of the state and also criticises the government where need be rather than antagonizing the Government and its policies just for political gain.

Mr. Daser also disclosed the state government readiness through his agency to partner with Bloggers/online medias for the beneficial of the State and its citizenry.

Also in his brief remark, the Plateau State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Dung Musa Gyang reveals how vital Bloggers/online media platforms are to the State.

He also disclosed that Government under the rescue team captain, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong will partner with them to continue to disseminate Government policies and activities towards achieving greatness for the collective interest of the State.

Similarly, the General Manager of the Plateau Radio Television Corporation, Mr. Jeptha Jackden who was equally present at the opening ceremony commended the efforts of the Director General Plateau Information and Communication Technology Development Agency, Mr David Dasar for coming up with this novel idea into fruition to impact a capacity building into the Participants who in turn will impact positively to the development of the State through their reportage.

Mr Jackden also disclosed that Bloggers/online medias are influencers who can change thinking of the society for good either for good or bad, and for that there is need for synergy between the government and the Bloggers/online media to give direction to the society.

Equally present at the event, is the Commissioner for Information and Communications Plateau State, Hon. Dan Manjang who also in his remarks commended the effort and the initiative of the Director General PICTDA for a timely capacity building training for Bloggers/Online media in the State.

Hon. Manjang also commended Bloggers and Online media in the State for their pragmatic efforts in helping the Government to disseminate it programs and activities to the general public, he equally urged them to engage in developmental communication.

He also disclosed that government will always entertain constructive criticisms and urged the participants to take part in moving the State to enviable height.

Also in his part, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Makut Simon Macham stated that the society has changed on account of technological advancement. He said the social media should be use for constructive engagement for national growth and development, and also charged Bloggers/Online media to publish contents that will always promote societal growth.

Dr. Makut called on Bloggers to give all level playing ground with objectivity, absence of bias and high sense of professionalism.

He also urged the  Participants to always place premium on the common good of the society above their personal interests, promote equity & justice and know they owe the society a duty of sanity to moderate and regulate the media space.

Comrade Friday Bako who is the Chairman Plateau Bloggers & Online Media Association (PBOMA), in his speech appreciated PICTDA for organizing the training and revealed that this capacity building training will build improve them for optimal performance. He said they will put what they learnt to practical use for the common good of the society. He posited that the group will continue to work towards changing the negative narratives about the State and its battered image to the outside World.

The highlight of the events was the presentation of lectures by Mr Solomon Kwakfut of the DevRock Global Communication Ltd, Dr. James Ashiekpe and Herbert Daniel Gomagallah on the topics ranging from how to become a strategic communicator, Social Media Ecology, Communication for Development, Social Responsibility and Agenda Setting, How imperative effective Science & Technology Public Relation is to National Development, Bloggers Space/Traffic/Traction/Direction, Niche Scooping; Misinformation & Disinformation; Proactive, Responsive & responsible coverage and Bloggersphere & Governance.

Also there was a presentation of certificate to all the participants by the Director General Mr David Dasar.