Workshop on avian flu meant to equip journalists, says Dare
By ABDULLAHI D. ABDULLAHI, Group News Editor

IN a move to ensure behavioural change and general awareness as regards Avian and Pandemic Influenza in the North West, the Voice of America is organizing a two-day workshop for journalists.
According to Mr. Sunday Dare, chief VOA Hausa Service, while declaring the workshop open yesterday in Kano, said it was intended to equip the journalists as well as increase their knowledge base, journalistic skills and techniques on how to report such diseases as Avian flu.
‘’Unless you sharpen journalists editorial skills and general ideas you cannot achieve effective communication and public enlightenment,” Dare added.
He further stated that the choice of the North for the workshop was intended to reach out to the VOA’s about 21 million listeners to enable them become conversant with the preventive measures.
Mr. Dare told Daily Triumph that Nigeria is identified as priority country by the US as regards the bird flu, hence the resolve to organize such kind of workshops in the country.
Also speaking, the director, International Media Training and Development, Mrs. Joan Mower stated that the workshop was aimed at providing journalists with up-to-date, accurate information along with background materials on avian and pandemic influenza.
She pointed out that the workshop will look at what Nigeria has done so far to prevent the spread and human flu, the diseases’ social and economic implications on how the international community fits into the picture.
The workshop is jointly organized by the VOA, Broadcasting Board of Governors and International Broadcasting Bureau.