The Wikimedian User Group Nigeria, Kaduna Network, has trained over 15 members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kaduna State Chapter, on how to share and document knowledge using Wikimedia projects.
The one-day training, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kaduna, was aimed at bridging the knowledge gap and enhancing the global visibility of Nigerian journalists through Wikimedia platforms.
Delivering a paper titled “Understanding Reliable and Unreliable Sources for Wikipedia Articles,” the President of the Wikimedian User Group Nigeria, Kaduna Network, Hajiya Ramatu A. Haliru, said the collaboration with NAWOJ was designed to empower women journalists with the skills to document notable professionals in the media industry on Wikidata.
According to her, many Nigerian journalists are doing remarkable work but lack global recognition.
She explained that the training would not only improve the participants’ reporting skills but also enable them to contribute to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia platforms.
“Wikipedia is a tertiary source that relies heavily on credible media reports and publications.
By improving the quality of reporting and contributing verified information, journalists can shape how Nigeria is represented globally,” Hajiya Ramatu noted.
She further encouraged women journalists to explore Wikimedia Commons and other related projects to expand their professional visibility.
A facilitator at the training, Mr. Friday Kuyet Musa, commended the enthusiasm and active participation of the women journalists. He urged more women in the media to embrace the Wikimedia initiative to enhance their digital literacy and storytelling impact.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Sahura Jibrin Maidoki, expressed appreciation to the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria, Kaduna Network, for organizing the training.
She encouraged participants to put the knowledge acquired into practice and to share it with their colleagues.
Some participants, including Khadija Kubau, Naomi Anzaku of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Faltmata Shettima, Khadija Mahmood and Ruth Barnabas, described the training as enlightening and pledged to apply the skills learned to promote credible and inclusive knowledge sharing.
COV: Fatima Aliyu