At The Sun Media Foundation training for journalists, FG identifies 178 flood-prone LGAs
The Sun Media Foundation has trained over 20 journalists on how to report natural disasters, especially flooding and other humanitarian crises.
The virtual training was titled: ‘Reporting Flood Emergency.’
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr. Victor Emeruwa, harped on the need for journalists to immerse themselves in the story in order for them to report accurately.
Emeruwa added that reporters of natural disasters and humanitarian crises should emotionalise and humanise their report, noting that most humanitarian crisis are not without pains and suffering by the victims of natural and man-made crisis.
He said: “When reporting natural disaster, you must take two things into cognisance; human and physical elements. You should not just report the incident. Report the impact and how it affects the lives of victims, their dreams and aspirations. Also, express and explain the conditions of the people affected explaining the impact of the death and data.
“In reporting disaster, you should include why there has not been a change despite the recurring decimal. Unearth and tackle corruption hindering development. Corruption in this case goes beyond money.
“Also, look at why dams are not built. Look at why policies are not enacted and implemented. You should continue to report until there is change.”
When asked if infusing one’s emotions in the report would not go against the ethics of the journalism professional, he said: “The laws and ethics are not made in heaven that cannot be tinkered with. Journalism is evolving and journalists are expected to swim with the tide.”
Emeruwa charged the media to follow through with every commitment and promises of government: “There has been a lot of recommendations from different committees since the flood incidence of 2012 to 2022, why are the committee reports not made public, why are the contents not implemented?. why do we keep going round the circles at the expenses of vulnerable citizens. We must call for the resolutions in these various committees and demand action. We must call for accountability and responsibility on the part of government, what happened to several donations raised by private organizations to help reduce the suffering of flood victims?. Our jobs as journalists is to investigate, hold government officials to account and remain bold and resolute at doing that” he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director, Flood Forecasting, Monitoring and Control in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Kunle Awojemila, identified 178 local government areas in 32 states that are highly probable flood risk.
Awojemila said for flood to be mitigated, there should be an improvement in flood warning system for accuracy; enhancement of food infrastructure; enforcement of strict land-use planning regulations of prevent construction of in high-risk flood areas.
Also, he said there should be a national flood insurance developed for financial protection against flood-related losses to help post-flood recovery costs; continuous community flood education about flood risks, preparedness and response measures; establish community base CFV to support vulnerable populations during flood; and the need for the media to report works done in some parts of the country.