In order to positively affect national development, a not-for-profit organisation, Light-up Africa Development Initiative (LADI) and others, have charged policy makers to consider inclusion of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into youth policies and programmes.
The advice was made at a just concluded two-day capacity building workshop on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Integration into Youth Policies and Programmes organised by LADI in collaboration with the United Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Abuja, and the Government of Japan.
Speaking with the press, the organisation’s Project Support Officer, Daniel Nwaeze said the workshop was needful at such a time when fake news and other information disorder have taken centre stage in the country and already causing division.
He said, “We feel that youth organisations can also be at the fore front in helping to build capacity of others on MIL.” Nwaeze stated that the participants are expected to carry on the workshop through step down trainings in their local communities or organisations.
On his part, the Co-ordinator, UNESCO University Network on Media and Information Literacy and Inter-cultural Dialogue in Nigeria, Dr. Olunifesi Suraj said there was need for integrating MIL into youth policies and programmes because it gives direction and helps to identify rules of engagement, adding that that it was paramount to educate the youths as they remain the voice to push for its establishment through their various organisations with relationships with government actors.
His words, “The youth have the drive and energy, it is helpful to prepare them mentally, especially those already leading in the development sector, to be the voice of the voiceless, to be the voice that can articulate ideas that can shape how they are being governed and or how government govern the people.”
In an interview with one of the participants, Oluwabunmi Ajao, who won a digital camera prize, who made an entry for a call for #MILCreative by the organisation, said the workshop was timely as the havoc being brought about by fake news and misinformation are getting deeper and even more worrisome. She appreciated the organisers for the initiative and opportunity to participate in the workshop.
The workshop which held in Lagos was packed with lectures on topics such as ‘Towards an MIL Policy for Youth Organisations’, ‘Creative Writing’, ‘Teaching Your Stories With Animation’, ‘Understanding the Media Space in Nigeria’, ‘Experience Sharing’, ‘Facts vs Misinformation and Disinformation’ to mention but a few was supported by the Japanese Government.
