Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), in its deliberate effort to drive Nigeria’s Tech Revolution under the visionary leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu has hosted a workshop for its staff writers and media partners in Abuja. During the opening ceremony of the 3-day training workshop for online media practitioners and staff writers, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, the Director of Information, New Media and Protocol in his welcome address, lauded the unflinching commitment of the EVC in driving media advocacy, stressing its pivotal role in achieving the NASENI mandate.
He further noted that the theme of the workshop: ” Enhancing Effective Delivery of Communication Objectives in a Changing Digital Environment,” reflects NASENI’s commitment to equipping its media team and partners with the tools and skills needed to tell the agency’s story effectively in a rapidly evolving digital age.
In his remarks while declaring the workshop open, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of NASENI, Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu noted that the workshop is another significant step towards enhancing the agency’s capabilities and fostering an effective communication of what NASENI do. His words: “This is amongst a series of many ongoing trainings aimed at enhancing capacity development for staff and to reposition the Agency for greater service delivery.
“As we navigate the ever-evolving digital media landscape, it is crucial that we stay focused on the content of our narratives, while keeping ourselves abreast of the latest trends, ethics, tools, and best practices. This training is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in these roles.
“Our organization, NASENI, is committed to driving Nigeria’s industrialization through innovation and technology. Therefore, effective communication is vital to our success in this pursuit. The outcome of this training will enable us to amplify our message, engage our audiences, and showcase our achievements.
“My special appreciation to our training consultant, Fort Realm Global Limited, for accepting to undertake this task of building further the capacity, knowledge, and professional competence of our team of online media practitioners and writers I believe that the knowledge gained during these three days will, in turn, increase their understanding and capacity to deliver on their job of propagating positive messages about our agency.
“To all participants, I encourage you to actively engage, share your experiences, and leverage this opportunity to network and grow. Let us harness the power of digital media to propel NASENI’s vision and promote science, technology, engineering, and innovation so that we all could contribute to Nigeria’s prosperity.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, the Director of Information, New Media and Protocol lauded the EVC of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu whom he stated knows the power of the media in effectively communicating the NASENI brand, its products and programmes and has graciously approved this training programme. His words: “First and foremost, on behalf of the entire staff of the Information, New Media and Protocol, EVC Office, I must express our profound gratitude to our amiable Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, who knows the power of the media in effectively communicating the NASENI brand, its products, and programmes and has graciously approved this training programme.
“Thank you so very much, sir, for your unflinching support to our department.
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital communication and delivery of content, it is imperative that we stay abreast on the latest trends, ethics, and tools, including global best practices in doing our job.
“This training programme is particularly a testament to NASENI’s commitment under the leadership of the goal getter EVC/CEO to excellence and his determination to leverage the power of new media to tell the NASENI story.
“In the next three days, we will engage with expert facilitators, share experiences, and learn from one another. I encourage you all to actively participate, ask questions, and contribute engagingly to discussions.
I would not forget to express my gratitude to our online media partners for honouring the invitation to participate in this programme, nonetheless the collaboration and support which we have enjoyed from every one of you so far.
“Your presence here today underscores the importance that you personally attach to our partnership and shared goal of promoting science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria to transform our national economy.
“Let me share this underlining philosophy or call it a secret desire behind the decision to bring you and us together. The EVC has the vision of recruiting many more segments of Nigeria patriots to journey with us as we deliberately transform Nigeria into a modern nation, driven by the wheels of innovation and technology. Note also, this is the secret of Europe, America, and the Asia Tigers.
“Permit me to say that NASENI under Khalil Suleiman Halilu is not joking. I think you all can see how energetic he has been since he came on board as chief executive last year. 35 new products in NASENI Brand name in the market and about 56 projects in their various processes of evolvement within one year in office. Would anyone call that a joke! NASENI is now the leading technology agency of the federal government, driving the hardest the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government, whose focus primarily is the socio-economic transformation of the country.
“Again, because the EVC recognized perfectly the power of the media barely 3 weeks ago, the EVC met with senior media executives and Bureau Chiefs in Abuja over lunch. We invited 25 Bureau chiefs and Editors from the mainstream media, TV, radio, and others, and it will amaze you that all of them came. The enthusiasm was so obvious when they all saw and heard a chief executive of an agency of government doing so much in the efforts to transform the economy. The EVC during the meeting explained his vision and mission to these top media executives, and they were all amazed.
“Here we are again. A special workshop is being organized exclusively for online writers and media partners, another critical segment of the media sector, those of us who are writers in the digital space. Let’s say in summary that this advocacy I envisage will do something to all of us, that is, there shall be a paradigm shift to work together more strategically and deliberately to build a technology-innovation driven new Nigeria economy with NASENI, having Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu on the driver’s seat.
“During this workshop, we are going to talk more detailed about how to support the EVC in implementing his new NASENI Strategic Launchpad 2024-2027, which was his initiative as soon as he took over as chief executive. The Launchpad is now providing the guiding light, setting goals and objectives for whatever we do in NASENI. We will engage one another on the important roles which the digital media or communication has in shaping and reshaping the minds of the people to embrace the spirit of collaboration to build a new nation of great prosperity for ourselves which the gift of science, technology and innovation had bestowed on us. This is why, going forward, all of us in this hall must patriotically write and create content more as friends of NASENI. Let me preempt us. This expectedly shall be one of the outcomes of this 3-day workshop.
“To my staff and colleagues in the Information & New Media Unit, I commend your dedication and hard work. This training programme is an investment in your growth and development by the management of the Agency, and I have no doubt that you will all excel.
“Once again, I welcome you all to this Online Media Training programme. Let us make the most of this opportunity to learn, grow, and enhance our capacity to communicate the NASENI vision and the commitment to transform our Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, “he also added.
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