By Our Political Reporter

The European Union (EU), through its European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Component 3 – Support to Political Parties, in collaboration with The Kukah Centre, has organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) for sub-national officers of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from Nigeria’s North-East geopolitical zone.

The capacity-building programme, held in Gombe, brought together SDP executives and party leaders from Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno and Taraba states. The training focused on strengthening internal party structures, enhancing compliance with Nigeria’s legal and electoral framework, improving election preparedness through issue-based campaigning, and promoting inclusion and affirmative action within the party.

Speaking with journalists during the event, one of the programme organizers, Mrs. Rosemary Effiong, expressed appreciation to the European Union and The Kukah Centre for their continued commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and political parties in Nigeria.

She explained that the training forms part of the activities under the European Union Support to Political Parties initiative, which seeks to enhance political pluralism, internal democracy, and equity within political parties across the country.

According to her, although the programme has previously engaged political parties collectively, the current intervention adopts a needs-based approach.

«”This activity is part of the European Union Support to Political Parties programme aimed at enhancing pluralism, internal democracy and equity in political parties. It is implemented by The Kukah Centre. While we have previously engaged political parties collectively, this particular training was designed based on the SDP’s identified needs and priorities,” she said.»

Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Dr. Sadiq Umar Gombe, described the training as timely and strategic, saying it would significantly strengthen the party’s institutional capacity ahead of future elections.

He noted that participants were expected to transfer the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the workshop to party officials at the grassroots across the six North-East states.

Dr. Gombe commended the European Union and The Kukah Centre for supporting the initiative, stressing that the training would improve leadership, organizational effectiveness, internal democracy and policy-driven political engagement within the party.

Throughout the programme, participants took part in interactive lectures, group discussions, practical sessions, and question-and-answer engagements, where they identified key operational challenges facing the party and explored practical solutions for improving its structures and performance.

One of the participants, Alhaji Sani Buga Dadawagga, expressed gratitude to the European Union, The Kukah Centre and the national leadership of the SDP for organizing what he described as a highly impactful and memorable programme.

He pledged to apply the knowledge and leadership skills gained during the training and to share the experience with party members who were unable to attend, with the aim of strengthening the party’s operations at the state and local government levels.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the SDP National Headquarters, the party formally appreciated The Kukah Centre for providing institutional support through the ongoing nationwide Train the Trainers programme.

Signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the statement explained that the training is funded by the European Union under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Component 3 – Support to Political Parties and implemented by The Kukah Centre.

The statement noted that the initiative forms part of the SDP 36+ Leadership Pathway, a capacity-building programme coordinated through the party’s National Labour and Civil Society Office with institutional support from The Kukah Centre.

According to the party, the programme is designed to equip party officials with practical leadership tools, governance skills and organizational knowledge that will enhance effective party administration at both the national and sub-national levels.

The SDP also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, internal democracy and compliance with established rules of engagement while expressing optimism that the partnership with the European Union and The Kukah Centre would further strengthen democratic governance and deepen political participation across Nigeria.

By Yusuf Muh’d Inuwa

The Nigerian Press Council NPC has organized a one-day capacity building workshop for journalists from various broadcast stations as well as print media across the North-East, and with the theme: Public Trust and Ethical Journalism in the Digital Age.

The training focused on enhancing fact checking skills to combat misinformation.

Declaring the 2025 Annual Regional Workshop open in Bauchi, the NPC Executive Secretary, Dr Dili Ezughah, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to upholding ethical standards in Nigerian journalism.

Represented by the Council’s Director of Legal Matters, Dr. Ngozi Ike, Dr. Ezughah explained that the training was designed to equip journalists with the skills needed to navigate the challenges and responsibilities of today’s fast evolving digital media landscape.

He commended the Bauchi State Government for hosting the event and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained in their reportage to strengthen public trust.

Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu Usman, restated Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to repositioning state owned media organizations in line with international best practices.

One of the resource persons, Associate Professor Hamid Adamu of the North Eastern University, Gombe, stressed that the mass media must hold government accountable while maintaining objectivity and accuracy.

He praised the NPC for initiating the workshop and urged media organisations to adopt fact checking as a routine practice to prevent the spread of misinformation formation.

Participants were drawn from Jewel FM, Globe FM, Gombe Media Corporation, Vision FM Gombe, Albarka Radio, NTA, BATV, Students of Mass Communication Department Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, print media as well as media executives in the North-East.

By Our Correspondent

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe State has commenced a sustained capacity-building programme for its staff, aimed at strengthening election administration in preparation for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and the 2027 General Elections.

Speaking at a one-day workshop held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Hajiya Amina Inuwa Gombe Women Development Centre, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continuous staff training as a strategic response to evolving challenges, emerging technologies, and changing legal frameworks in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The workshop, themed “Capacity Building: A Tool for Successful Election Administration”, brought together staff of the INEC State Office in Gombe for intensive knowledge-sharing sessions.

Dr. Idris described the initiative as “not just an administrative formality but a deliberate and indispensable investment in the integrity of our electoral process and the vibrancy of our democracy.” He stressed that capacity building remains central to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and credibility in elections.

“In preparing for the CVR and the 2027 elections, we must equip our staff with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to deliver on the Commission’s mandate,” he said.

The lead presentation by Dr. Idris highlighted the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for strengthening staff competencies. This was followed by a plenary session where participants discussed innovative ways to improve electoral processes.

Head of VR/ICT in the state, Engr. Bitson Filibus, also delivered a technical briefing on the upcoming CVR, offering insights into its operational and technological requirements.

It will be recalled that Dr. Idris, upon assuming office in June 2025, pledged to institutionalise monthly capacity-building and knowledge-sharing programmes. Thursday’s session marks the first in the series, with future editions expected to include field officers, security agencies, and other critical stakeholders.

“With the elections drawing nearer, the professionalism of our personnel will remain the bedrock of public trust in the electoral process,” Dr. Idris added.