Khadijah Aliyu
Journalists and social media influencers converged in Kano for a one-day capacity-building workshop aimed at promoting responsible communication on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), Family Planning (FP), and Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI).
The workshop, themed “From Followers to Advocates: Leveraging Social Media for Health and Gender Advocacy,” was organized by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) in collaboration with EngenderHealth Consortium partners.
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The initiative seeks to transform selected influencers into effective advocates for health and social change through evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and ethical engagement.
In his opening remarks, CCSI Advocacy Project Manager, Atiku Muhammad Auwal, said the training was designed to equip social media influencers with the skills and knowledge to drive responsible conversations on RMNCAH+N, FP, and GYSI.
He noted that participants would be able to use their platforms to draw government and community attention to pressing public health priorities through professional and coordinated advocacy..
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“Through expert-led sessions and practical exercises, participants learned strategies for crafting impactful, ethical, and survivor-centered digital content, as well as techniques for countering misinformation and fostering inclusive dialogue,” Auwal added.
In her presentation titled “The State of RMNCAH+N, FP, and GBV in Kano and the Role of Social Media Influencers in Driving Change,” Dr. Mansurah, the State MNCH Coordinator, outlined major challenges in maternal and child health services across the state.
She highlighted issues such as uneven distribution of services in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), shortages of skilled birth attendants, infrastructural gaps, low staff motivation, inadequate commodities, weak data systems, and limited community engagement.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, Comrade Mustapha Gambo Muhammad, emphasized the NUJ’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality, family planning, and health awareness through responsible reporting and social media advocacy.
“The NUJ has always been at the forefront of advocating against gender-based violence and promoting awareness on RMNCAH+N and related issues,” he stated.
Khadijah Abdullahi Yahaya, a participant from Arewa Radio, underscored the vital role of influencers and journalists in amplifying health and gender-related campaigns. She called for more citizen engagement platforms to allow communities to share real-life experiences and challenges affecting access to quality health services.
The workshop featured interactive sessions, expert presentations, Q&A discussions, and networking opportunities aimed at strengthening collaboration among media professionals, influencers, and health stakeholders.