By Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, has organized a one-day capacity building workshop aimed at equipping journalists with modern investigative reporting skills suitable for the digital age.
The workshop, held on Thursday at the NUJ Press Centre, Sokoto, had as its theme “Investigative Journalism in the Digital Era.” It brought together media professionals, scholars, and communication experts to share knowledge on technology-driven journalism and ethical reporting.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the NUJ Sokoto State Council, Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji, described the workshop as “a call to reflection and renewal,” emphasizing the importance of professionalism, ethics, and adaptation in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.
“This gathering is more than a training; it is a reminder of the power and responsibility we hold as journalists in shaping public opinion, deepening democracy, and holding power accountable in an age where truth competes with falsehood at the speed of light,” he said.
Binji commended journalists in the state for their commitment to truth and professionalism and urged them to fully embrace new digital tools that enhance accuracy and storytelling. He also expressed appreciation to the Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Mohammed Goronyo, whose financial support made the workshop possible.
“We deeply appreciate the Honourable Minister’s encouragement and recognition of the media as a vital partner in promoting transparency, accountability, and national development,” Binji added.
The event featured two technical sessions. The first paper, titled “Investigative Journalism in the Digital Era: Tools, Techniques, and Safety in Data, Mobile, and AI Reporting,” was delivered by veteran journalist Abdallah Elkurebe, who highlighted modern techniques such as open-source intelligence, data journalism, and the safe use of artificial intelligence in reporting.
According to Elkurebe, while technology enhances efficiency, journalists must always maintain ethical standards, verify digital sources, and safeguard their data.
“Technology doesn’t replace the journalist; it amplifies their capacity to find truth,” he noted.
The second paper, “Ethics, Editorial Power, and the Pursuit of Solutions: Redefining Journalism’s Role in Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development,” was presented by Abdulhakeem Abdulganiyu of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, who urged reporters to balance watchdog journalism with solution-oriented storytelling.
Chairman of the occasion, Associate Professor Muhammad Sajo Sanyinna, commended the NUJ leadership for its consistency in promoting professional excellence, urging journalists to uphold credibility and ethics in their daily practice.
The workshop ended with an interactive session and a group photograph, with participants pledging renewed commitment to responsible journalism in the digital era.
