Stratagem Energy Trains Media for Improved Energy Sector Coverage
The Stratagem Energy Media Training (EMT) held in Lagos on January 17, 2019 at Radisson Blu Ikeja GRA Lagos.
The event, organized by Stratagem Energy Management Company (SEMC), was well attended by senior, mid-level and budding journalists covering the energy sector for some of Nigeria’s leading television, radio, newspapers and online media companies.
These include Channels Television, Silverbird Television, TVC, Business Day, Metro FM, Eko FM, Bounce News, Vanguard Newspapers, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Punch Newspapers, Tribune Newspapers, Lagos Television (LTV), Wazobia TV, MITV, Stears Business, ESI Africa, Diplomatic Watch, This Day Newspapers and many others.
The training, which has been described as the first ever convergence of energy reporters in Nigeria, was designed to boost news reporting on energy related issues in Nigeria.
The speakers focused on how to access difficult information, fact-checking the information and using data to tell stories that will enrich media content and better inform citizens about the energy sector.
The training explored the weakness identified in the coverage of energy management and other energy-related issues.
In his opening address, the President, Association of Energy Engineers Nigeria Chapter, Mr Ayodeji Dada emphasized how important it is for the media to work with the energy sector.
He said that the media plays a key role in influencing development of societies and in propagating a healthy and sustainable energy system in the country through an efficient energy management system.
The event featured training sessions, panel discussions and special presentations on the challenges facing the energy sector, the role and import of the media in alleviating energy challenges, and creating content garnished with adequate knowledge of the energy space.
The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Dr. Joy Ogaji, spoke about the power sector and the role of the GENCOs in the supply chain of power supply.
“To optimize the current generation capacity, there is need for massive investment in transmission and distribution networks in the country. Power Generation Companies (GenCos) have the capacity to increase their output in the near term.
“However, an increase in power generation without a resultant increase in Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) wheeling capacity and improved distribution infrastructures will continue to lead to stranded power generation,” she said.
One of the training sessions that would remain in the minds of the participants for a long time was led by seasoned broadcast journalist and Senior Energy Correspondent at Channels Television, Olu Philips.
He took the young journalists on a ride into his world of energy news reporting, highlighting his success secrets, most productive strategies and of course the many dangers involved.
‘Fact-checking for the 21st Century Multimedia Journalist’ was taught by the Nigeria Editor at Africa Check, David Ajikobi.
Getting the facts right is no longer negotiable in today’s media, and this is not peculiar to the energy bit only but everyone who is in the business of influencing public opinions and discourse.
Other speakers at the event include the President of Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Segun Adaju; and the CEO – Nigeria Climate Innovation Center, Bankole Oloruntoba.
Ayodele Oni, partner at Bloomsfield Law Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group was represented by Mr. Bankole Fasehun.
Journalists at the event were full of gratitude to the management of Stratagem Energy Management Company (SEMC), urging them to provide more platforms like the EMT to enable better relations with big players in the sector.
The company’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Emmanuel Edem, promised that the company would remain consistent in its efforts but called for collaboration from other energy sector players.
Stratagem Energy Management Company is an indigenous company with focused interest in the energy sector of the Nigerian Economy and West Africa at large, with their operational headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria
The company implements Energy Management systems for businesses across all sectors of the economy who want to optimize their energy usage and save energy costs.