— Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Development and Professionalism in Journalism
ABEOKUTA — In a bold demonstration of its commitment to media development and professional capacity building, IHS Nigeria, one of the nation’s foremost providers of shared communications infrastructure, has sponsored a two-day training programme for 100 journalists under the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council.
The training was facilitated by Rasaq Ayinla Esq., Regional Editor of Business Day Newspaper who doubled as the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Correspondence Chapel in Ogun state.
The training, held in Abeokuta, focused on equipping journalists with modern skills in new media literacy, legal defence, and financial and economic reporting, as part of efforts to strengthen responsible journalism and deepen democratic governance in Nigeria.
Speaking during the opening session, Mrs. Yemisi Diya-Salawu, Director of Legal, IHS Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s strong sustainability and societal impact agenda, which prioritizes investment in people, education, and community growth.
“It is an honour for us at IHS Nigeria to partner with the Ogun NUJ in this important initiative,” Diya-Salawu said. “We recognize the critical role journalists play in informing citizens, deepening democracy, and advancing national development. Building the capacity of media professionals is therefore a priority for us.”
She explained that IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of the IHS Towers Group, operates more than 16,000 towers and 15,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country, positioning it as a key enabler of digital transformation and connectivity.
According to her, the company considers itself “Nigeria’s backbone of digital possibilities,” ensuring that infrastructure growth goes hand-in-hand with socio-economic progress achieved through responsible and sustainable practices.
“Beyond building sustainable, energy-efficient, and secure infrastructure, we are deeply committed to creating opportunities for people and communities to thrive—today and for generations to come,” she added.
Diya-Salawu noted that IHS Nigeria’s sustainability strategy is built on four key pillars — ethics and governance; environment and climate change; education and economic growth; and people and communities.
She also disclosed that the company recently unveiled its 2023–2024 Impact Report, showcasing several community-focused and sustainability projects executed nationwide, including those in Ogun State.
The event was graced by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, who was ably represented by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, alongside top government officials, media executives, and members of the Correspondents Chapel.
In his goodwill message, Akinmade commended IHS Nigeria for its unwavering partnership with the media and for investing in the professional growth of journalists.
“When corporate organizations like IHS Nigeria deliberately invest in journalism, they contribute directly to the strengthening of democracy. This collaboration should serve as a model for other private sector players,” Akinmade stated.
Participants at the training expressed appreciation to IHS Nigeria for the initiative, describing it as timely and transformative, particularly in an era when the media landscape is rapidly evolving.
The two-day programme, facilitated by veteran media professionals and legal experts, aimed to sharpen journalists’ skills, enhance ethical reporting, and promote resilience in the face of professional challenges.
Diya-Salawu concluded by urging journalists to maximize the knowledge gained to improve their craft and to continue upholding the values of truth, fairness, and integrity.
“We hope this training inspires every participant to aim higher, tell stories that matter, and continue being the conscience of our society,” she said.
