CROSS RIVER DEPUTY GOVERNOR COMMENDS AGBA JALINGO FOUNDATION FOR BUILDING MEDIA CAPACITY THROUGH AI, DATA ANALYTICS TRAINING
✓ Odey hails foundation’s partnership with government to strengthen accountability and transparency in communication.
✓ Media professionals, aides, and journalists undergo intensive two-day masterclass on Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and the Law in Communication.
By Amawu, Cletus Albert Amawu.
CALABAR — The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Ph.D, has commended the Agba Jalingo Foundation for Investigative and Accountability Journalism (AJFIAJ) for its partnership with the state government in enhancing the capacity of media practitioners, government media aides, and journalists across the state.
Odey gave the commendation with a stop over at the two-day masterclass for Media Aides to the Governor, Press Secretaries of Local Government Chairmen, Journalists, and Discursive Change Agents, held at the Top Conference Room of the Cross River State Library Complex, Calabar.
The training, which took place on Thursday, October 30th, and Friday, October 31st, 2025, focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and the Law of Communication, with the aim of equipping participants with modern communication tools and ethical grounding for responsible storytelling.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to openness and good governance, Odey noted that Governor Bassey Otu’s administration places premium value on the role of the media in shaping public discourse and promoting transparency.
“Governor Otu values the crucial role of the media in shaping public opinion and driving development. This collaboration with the Agba Jalingo Foundation reflects our administration’s belief in equipping media professionals with the right tools to communicate effectively and responsibly,” Odey stated.
He praised Mr. Agba Jalingo and the facilitators for their “discipline, focus, and dedication to social change,” urging participants to apply their newly acquired skills in improving communication and delivering excellence in their duties.
In his remarks, the founder of the Agba Jalingo Foundation and Publisher of CrossRiverWatch, Citizen Agba Jalingo, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor for representing Governor Otu at the event.
Jalingo disclosed that the idea for the masterclass was conceived earlier in the year as part of his commitment to creating a platform that would “strengthen the capacity of journalists, government media agents, and civil actors to navigate and keep pace with global transition trends with integrity, innovation, and responsibility.”
“We live in an era where information is power. But how we manage, interpret, and use this information determines the credibility of our institutions and the trust of our people,” Jalingo said.
He added that artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming how stories are told, how truths are uncovered, and how policies are communicated.
“This masterclass has not only equipped participants with technical skills but has rekindled a renewed sense of purpose, to tell stories that matter, to communicate clearly and honestly, and to use journalism as a tool for development rather than division,” he stressed.
Jalingo also commended Governor Otu for his humane gesture in granting clemency to 54 inmates of Afokang Correctional Centre, describing it as “a reflection of leadership that listens, understands, and responds with empathy.”
The two-day masterclass featured seasoned experts who delivered in-depth lectures across diverse but interconnected themes.
Mr. Cornelius Ellah, Acting Head, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), spoke on “Media and Information Literacy in Communication.” He underscored the importance of discerning truth from misinformation in the digital era, noting that “media literacy is the bedrock of ethical communication in the age of artificial intelligence.”
Alhaji Rasheed Olanrewaju, ANIPR, a veteran media consultant, presented a session on “Action Planning, Networking, and Corporate Communication.” He charged participants to cultivate strategic partnerships, maintain consistency in messaging, and build credibility as communication professionals serving both the government and the public.
First Baba Isa (FBI) Esq., a legal practitioner, delivered a thought-provoking paper titled “Artificial Intelligence and Media Integrity: Realities and the Law.” He examined the legal implications of AI-driven journalism, warning that “while AI tools enhance media efficiency, practitioners must remain accountable for the ethical and legal consequences of automated content.”
Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), lectured on “AI in Fact-Checking and Investigative Journalism.” She explained how AI-powered verification systems are redefining accountability journalism, urging reporters to “adopt technology as an ally in combating fake news and misinformation.”
Dr. Monday Ashibogwu, CEO of Billsbox, concluded the series with an engaging session on “AI Tools and Data Analytics in Journalism and Communication.” He demonstrated how data-driven storytelling enhances credibility and insight, asserting that “AI does not replace journalists; it empowers them to tell smarter, evidence-based stories.”
At the end of the two-day training, participants expressed appreciation to the organisers for the rare learning opportunity, pledging to deploy their new knowledge to strengthen communication between government institutions and the public.
Jointly organised by the Agba Jalingo Foundation for Investigative and Accountability Journalism (AJFIAJ) and CrossRiverWatch, the masterclass reaffirms a shared vision for a more transparent, data-driven, and responsible media ecosystem in Cross River State.
