The Daily Trust Foundation, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, has trained 21 journalists from the Northwest region under its Media Enterprise Lab (MEL), focusing on managing media start-ups.
The intensive training aims to empower media professionals with practical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to build sustainable careers and media ventures, leveraging readily available opportunities.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Daily Trust Foundation, Malam Bilya Bala, explained that the workshop was designed to equip participants with the tools necessary to become self-reliant and successful media entrepreneurs and freelancers.
He emphasized the importance of dedication and hard work, especially in the face of Nigeria’s current economic challenges, which have adversely affected many media houses.
“This initiative aligns with the Foundation’s broader vision of strengthening journalism through innovation and sustainability, with support from the MacArthur Foundation,” Malam Bilya stated.
“Each of you can build a media empire like Daily Trust, but you must remain focused, work hard, and apply the knowledge gained here.”
The Programme Director of the Daily Trust Foundation, Dr. Theophilus Abba, highlighted the impact of the digital revolution on the media landscape.
He noted that adapting to the changing media environment is crucial for survival and relevance.
The director pointed out that the training forms part of the Foundation’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) to support media development through mentorship by seasoned professionals who built their careers from the ground up.
“This program is focused on sharing the practical experiences of successful media entrepreneurs,” Dr. Abba said.
“Participants are encouraged to draw lessons from these stories to elevate their journalism to global standards.”
One of the key sessions featured a presentation by the former Managing Director of Media Trust Limited, Chief Isiaq Ajibola, who spoke on “Business Model and Expansion.”
He emphasized the need for a strategic approach in balancing content creation, audience engagement, and revenue generation for media start-ups.
Participants who spoke to Paradigm News described the workshop as timely and impactful.
They noted that the training broadened their understanding of media start-up management, funding strategies, brand identity, artificial intelligence, and legal and ethical considerations.
Paradigm News reports that the workshop is part of the Daily Trust Foundation’s continued contribution to enhancing media sustainability in Nigeria.