Polaris Bank Limited, a leading force in Nigeria’s digital retail banking sector, has continued its decade-long commitment to empowering the media industry by training over 5,000 journalists nationwide. Through its annual media capacity-building workshops, the bank has provided vital support to journalists, helping them adapt to contemporary media challenges and innovate within their field.
The 2024 edition of the media training workshop, held in a hybrid format on Thursday, focused on “Integrating AI Tools in Contemporary Media Practices for Innovation and Excellence.” This year’s event attracted over 500 journalists, both virtually and in person, with a curriculum designed to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and technological proficiency in journalism.
Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting the media as a fundamental pillar of society. “Journalists play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and fostering an informed citizenry,” Bolarinwa said. “We believe they deserve the best possible support to excel in their profession, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to equipping them with the necessary tools.”
Polaris Bank first launched its media training initiative a decade ago in collaboration with the Journalism Clinic, founded by veteran journalist Taiwo Obe. The workshops, which have taken place in various cities across Nigeria, have focused on equipping journalists with skills to navigate the evolving media landscape, with special emphasis on digital tools and innovation.
This year’s session featured contributions from prominent media professionals and educators. Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie, a Senior Lecturer at the Pan-Atlantic University, led discussions on the application of AI tools in journalism, guiding participants through the process of analyzing and evaluating information with the aid of modern technology. Dr. Mgbeadichie emphasized that journalists need to be equipped with AI skills to thrive in today’s rapidly changing media environment.
Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, spoke on contemporary media trends such as multimedia journalism, fact-checking, and data journalism. He urged participants to embrace solutions journalism and integrate investigative techniques such as OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), data analysis, and digital forensics into their work. He also encouraged them to utilize emerging platforms like blogs, social media, and podcasts to enhance audience engagement.
The workshop drew enthusiastic participation from across Nigeria, with many attendees expressing their appreciation for the valuable learning opportunities provided by Polaris Bank. Segun Adeleye, publisher of *Worldstage*, praised the bank’s consistent dedication to media excellence, highlighting how the training sessions have positively impacted journalists’ ability to keep pace with global media trends.
As Polaris Bank looks to the future, its commitment to enhancing media standards across Nigeria remains strong. The bank has expressed a desire to continue its investment in the media industry by offering journalists the best training faculties to tackle emerging issues and drive innovation in the sector. The overarching goal of these initiatives is to foster a more informed and empowered media landscape, enabling Nigerian journalists to contribute effectively to national development.