The lack of appropriate
data has been identified as the bane of development in Africa, often impeding
effective development planning.
PREMIUM
TIMES report continues:
The
Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, noted this in his
opening remarks at a 3-day skills development workshop organised by the
University in collaboration with Indian think tank Centre for Science and
Environment, CSE.
Mr.
Fagbohun expressed delight in the theme of the workshop, ‘Development through
Data: African Workshop on how to use Data for Strategic Communication in
Development’, noting that its focus on Africa addresses the peculiarities of
data gathering and dissemination within the African context.
Also
speaking at the event, the Dean, Lagos State University School of
Communication, LASUSOC, Rotimi Olatunji, reiterated the importance of data to
the “formulation and execution of development programmes”.
He
noted that the availability of appropriate and reliable data often “provide the
bases for creative solutions to societal challenges”.
Suraj
Adekunle, the Sub-Dean, Lagos State University School of Communication and the
Facilitator of the partnership between LASUSOC and CSE, in his own remarks,
said it is high time Africa takes its destiny in its hands by being in charge
of its own data.
He
said data by Africa for Africa is the only way Africa can achieve its
developmental agenda.
While
commending the CSE for its collaboration with the School, Mr. Olatunji
expressed optimism that the “partnership will continue to positively impact
both scholarship and development efforts” in the two countries.
Speaking
at the event as a Nigerian resource person on Data Journalism and New Media was
Adekunle Adedeji of the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism,
PTCIJ.
He
taught data analysis and visualization skills and how to utilize available data
resources to identify development issues. He also reiterated the commitment of
PTCIJ to campus media development.
The
Lagos State University and the CSE agreed to exchange expertise and experiences
in the fields of development communication, journalism and data science.
“The
MoU is the first step towards a meaningful association between the two
countries and lays the foundation for a data revolution which will mutually
benefit them to develop in every sphere,” said the Director, CSE’s Indian
Environment Portal, Kiran Pandey.
Talking
about benefits of the agreement, Mr. Pandey said, “The potential is immense.
Both India and Nigeria face similar challenges and this is one of the first
attempts to provide a platform for the people who are engaged in the important
role of nation building in the two countries. The reason we wanted to partner
with LASU is because the university is the right place to reach out with the
young minds who will play a major role in the nation building in the future.”
Talking
about the workshop, she added, “The success of the first workshop shows the
great potential in the field of data. We hope to establish a community of data
divers who work together to make the governments more transparent and
accountable.”
“Our
magazine, Down to Earth, has been using data and stories to highlight
challenges and successes in the fields of environment and development for the
past 25 years in India. The workshop is an attempt to share our learnings and
experiences,” says Rajit Sengupta of CSE’s Down to Earth magazine and a trainer
at the three-day workshop.
The
workshop was attended by over 60 participants from varied professional
backgrounds including journalists, members of the civil society, academics,
NGOs, corporate organizations, media practitioners and government officials.
Background
Centre
for Science and Environment (CSE) is an independent public interest research
and advocacy organization based in New Delhi, India. CSE researches into,
lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is sustainable and
equitable. The centre has played an important role as a southern think tank
that articulates the perspectives and policies of the global south. Its
prestigious magazine Down to Earth is currently celebrating 25 years of
meaningful reporting on developmental issues from across the world. The
magazine has special focus on issues concerning the global south including
Africa.
The
Lagos State University School of Communication is the flagship of communication
scholarship in Nigeria, established in 2000, and currently running Bachelor’s
Masters, and Doctorate degree programmes in Communication Studies. The School
is one of the numerous faculties, schools, centres and College, under the
dynamic leadership of Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the Vice-Chancellor.
A memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that defines the relationship between Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India and LASU School of Communication was signed at the end of the Training Workshop.
No comments:
Post a Comment