Seplat Energy Restates Commitment To Capacity Building For Journalists, Industry Best Practices
A cross section of journalists with Seplat Energy and Channels Academy Teams, during the three-day training programme organized by Seplat Energy Plc in Lagos … recently
By Edu Abade
Seplat Energy Plc, leading indigenous energy company, has restated its commitment to human capacity building for media practitioners and global best practices in the oil and gas industry.
The company made the pledge at the conclusion of the first phase of its training programme for journalists and media practitioners in the country, which covered no fewer than 37 energy and judiciary correspondents, as well as editors.
The Seplat Energy media training programme, which was organised in partnership with Channels Academy, is targeted at building reporting and editing capacity in the media, while driving innovation and technology progress in the profession.
In a post-event statement made available to journalists in Lagos, it explained that beyond core energy and judiciary reporting, the trainees were exposed to the intersections of law and energy, referencing regulatory frameworks, major legal cases, environmental laws, ethical considerations and media objectivity.
During the training, modules on investigative reporting (techniques, advanced research methods, using public records, interviewing techniques); data journalism in judicial and energy reporting; analysis of energy sector developments and collaborative reporting projects with story ideas development, were also explored.
Insights on legal challenges in energy reporting (understanding defamation, libel, navigating legal challenges) and the future of energy and law with regards to emerging trends, were provided as the training evaluated future legal challenges and the need to prepare for industry shifts.
Media professionals from the print, electronic and online platforms participated in the training programme.
Commenting on the training, Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Mrs. Chioma Afe, commended the media professionals, resource persons and Channels Academy for their commitment to the success of the training programme.
Afe, who was represented by Manager, Corporate Communications at Seplat Energy, Stanley Opara, restated Seplat Energy’s commitment to building capacity in the media and promoting best practice in the oil and gas sector.
“At Seplat Energy, we see the media as a critical stakeholder; and the best we can do to make the industry develop is to encourage excellence. We believe in value creation and retention for all our stakeholders; and today, we are honoured to be contributing our quota towards the advancement of the media in Nigeria,” he said.
Responding, the media professionals under the aegis of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) and the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC), thanked Seplat Energy for providing the training opportunity and driving excellence in the media space.
Describing the programme as timely and well thought out, the media practitioners, who participated in the training, therefore, urged other corporate organisations in the country to emulate Seplat Energy in the quest to develop the Nigerian media industry and boost the needed capacity.
Seplat Energy Plc, a leading indigenous Nigerian energy company with a strategic focus on Nigeria, is listed on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (“NGX”) (NSE:SEPLAT) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”) (LSE:SEPL).
Seplat is pursuing a Nigeria-focused growth strategy and is strategically positioned to participate in future divestment programmes by the international oil companies, farm-in opportunities and future licensing rounds.
