Nigeria Health Watch Extends Partnership Deal With NAN To Promote Solutions Journalism

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Health Watch, a non-profit organisation, has extended its partnership deal with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), to promote Solutions Journalism in the country.

NAN reports that the deal between it and the Nigeria Health Watch which uses informed advocacy and communication to seek better health and access to healthcare in Nigeria, will last between February and December 2024.

NAN also reports that solutions journalism is a rigorous reporting about responses to society’s problems, especially about health.

Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, the Managing Director of NAN, who spoke during the signing ceremony on Wednesday in his office in Abuja, expressed gratitude to the organisation for the impactful contributions to the agency since the beginning of the partnership.

“Solutions journalism is complete journalism that not only spotlights the problems but follows an evidence-based presentation of existing solutions.

“Such reporting enhances knowledge and accountability by providing the whole story to readers and offers constructive content in an age of media apathy.

“We value the hope you’ve instilled, and given our commitment to solution journalism and development journalism here at NAN, factual accuracy is not just a luxury but a necessity by law.

“We must remain truthful and objective in our reporting. Solution journalism, as you rightly noted, brings hope to our nation,” Ali said.

The managing director also said that the agency shared a common passion and vision with the organisaion since solutions journalism proffered solutions to challenges.

Earlier, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, noted that NAN was among the first organisations to establish a Solutions Journalism desk in its office.

This, she said demonstrated that NAN was committed to the programme and initiative.

Ihekweazu said that solutions journalism aimed to not only report problems but also highlight potential solutions.

“This approach is crucial as it inspires hope, encourages action and emphasises collective responsibility in addressing societal issues.

“Through solutions journalism, NAN seeks to inspire Nigerians by showcasing solutions to the myriad of challenges faced in Nigeria.

“This serves as a powerful tool for driving positive change and fostering a sense of empowerment within the community,” she said.

NAN had in 2022, established a dedicated solutions journalism desk in the agency that focuses on reports that addressed various social challenges across the country.

Journalists received support, training and mentorship from the Nigeria Health Watch team to investigate and report responses to various social challenges across the country.

The stories they produced were published on the platforms of the various newsrooms through Solutions Journalism Africa Initiative.

Some of the published stories were featured on the Solutions Journalism Network’s Solutions Story Tracker, an international database that curates solutions journalism stories published all over the world. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne