An eclectic gathering of Ireland-based journalists and colleagues from Africa took place in Dublin recently against the background of the International Federation of Journalists’ (IFJ) 20th World Congress.
Organised by Echoes Media under the theme of ‘rules of engagement’, the interactive networking event gave professionals from the media and other spheres an opportunity to share experiences on the rules that engage them professionally.
Among those in attendance were Georges Alabi, deputy head of mission at the Nigerian Embassy in Ireland; Mohammed Garba, national president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists; Fatimah Abdulkareem, former national president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists; Stephen Ouma Bwire of the Uganda Journalist Union; Foster Dongozi of the Zimbabwe Journalist Union; as well as Irish journalists Ian Callagy and Catherine Reilly.
Speaking on the theme, Alabi remarked: “As a foreign service officer, I have to demonstrate tact, skill, understanding, the act of listening, passion and I have to also be able to show concern for the welfare and situation of not only Nigerians but the entire humanity.”
He said diplomats must be ready to serve under difficult circumstances and recalled that during the Liberian war, despite the fact Nigeria had the largest concentration of military personnel in service among the different contingents of the Ecomog forces, the rebels stormed his home, turned it upside down, and for over a month “it was the dress I was having on that I wore on myself”.
Mohammed Garba outlined what he felt were journalists’ rules of engagement. “Journalists are the mirror of the society, we appreciate opinions and from what we have been doing so far I think we are trying as much as possible to ensure that we discharge our social responsibility as expected by the people and as enshrined by various posts of the country,” he said.
Energetically hosted by Kunle Animashaun, the event was the brainchild of Nigerian-born author Pamela Toyin Akinjobi of Echoes Media.
Notable names also in attendance included Metro Éireann editor Chinedu Onyejelem, former Portlaoise Mayor Cllr Rotimi Adebari, businessman Joseph Cowhie, actor and comedian Tiny James and Dr Rosemarie Eno Mark, wife of Nigeria’s Senate President David Mark.
There is an urgent need for better training opportunities for journalists around the world, according to a survey of delegates at the IFJ World Congress in Dublin Castle.
The on-the-spot study found that journalists’ unions in three-quarters of countries worldwide believe training for journalists is at best only partly sufficient.
Delegates at the congress also voiced their concern at the disproportionate use of force against anti-government protesters in Turkey, who have faced attacks by security forces with tear gas, water cannons and armoured vehicles to break up their protest in Istanbul’s Gezi Park.
In other news, the congress re-elected Jim Boumelha of the NUJ as president for another three-year term, just pipping Belgian journalist Philippe Leruth to the post in voting.
