A Kano-based media organization, Himma Radio and Television, with a focus on agricultural broadcasting, has sought a strategic partnership with SolaceBase to train its journalists in investigative agricultural reporting.
The Managing Director of the station, Isma’il Yusuf Makwarari, made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Executive Director of Fridabs SolaceBase Communications, publisher of SolaceBase online newspapers, Malam Abdullateef Abubakar Jos.
Makwarari explained that the visit is aimed at strengthening the capacity of reporters, particularly those covering agriculture, livestock, nutrition and rural development, which form the core focus of the station’s programming.
According to him, the collaboration will enable young journalists to acquire the necessary skills to report effectively from the field, especially in an area he described as largely underreported despite its importance to everyday life.
He emphasised that the training would focus on investigative reporting, equipping staff with the ability to identify, analyse and report critical issues within Nigeria’s agricultural system.
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In his view, such capacity is essential for improving both the quality and impact of agricultural journalism.
Makwarari further illustrated the need for the training by pointing to recurring challenges within the sector.
He cited the recent scarcity of tomatoes in Kano State, questioning whether the situation is driven by farming conditions, government policies, cross-border trade or insecurity.
Beyond that, he raised concerns about delayed fertiliser distribution and issues surrounding agricultural funding, noting that these are areas that require deeper journalistic scrutiny.
He expressed concern over what he described as the dominance of political reporting in the media space, arguing that sectors such as agriculture and health deserve greater attention due to their direct impact on citizens’ livelihoods.
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“Journalists must begin to look beyond politics and focus on sectors that sustain life, particularly agriculture,” he said, stressing that improved reporting could contribute to meaningful societal change.
He added that the expected outcome of the partnership is to produce a new cadre of reporters capable of generating impactful, issue-driven stories that can influence policy and development in the agricultural sector.
Speaking on the outcome of the visit, Makwarari said Abdullateef Abubakar Jos welcomed the proposal and expressed readiness to support the training initiative.
He described the media executive as someone committed to development journalism and societal progress.
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The training, he said, is expected to be scheduled after Malam Abdullateef’s return from pilgrimage, after which both organisations will finalise arrangements.
In his response, Malam Abdullateef commended the delegation for the initiative and reaffirmed his willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening development-focused journalism.
Makwarari was accompanied on the visit by the Head of Digital Media Department of Himma Radio and Television, Sunusi Abdulrahman ĆŠantalata Fagge, as well as the Assistant Head of On-Air Personalities, Ummi Auwal ĆŠambatta.
