Rebecca Ejifoma

Nigeria LNG Limited recently wrapped up its annual #NLNGChangeYourStory workshop, which was held from January 30th to February 1st, 2024.

The workshop, titled Gender Active, aimed to equip women journalists with advanced pdigital communication and social media skills for reporting on gender-based issues.

The event brought together women journalists from various editorial departments and members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Lagos.

In a press release issued by the Acting Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Yemi Adeyemi, the NLNG-sponsored workshop provided participants with comprehensive learning experiences in mobile and multimedia journalism.

During the workshop, Mr. Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Andy Odeh, emphasised the company’s commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusiveness.

He also highlighted the crucial role of women journalists in shaping narratives and influencing public opinion for a better Nigeria.

“Our dedication to capacity building stems from the belief in the immense potential of women journalists,” says Odeh. “We empower them with essential skills to reshape their stories and, consequently, mould the stories of our nation.”

According to the GM, the #NLNGChangeYourStory workshop, initiated in 2015, reflects NLNG’s vision of embracing new technologies and platforms to articulate narratives that resonate in the fast-paced digital age.

Odeh added that the workshop manifested NLNG’s belief that stakeholders are integral contributors to the company’s journey toward greater heights.

The National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aisha Ibrahim, acknowledged the need to prepare women journalists for the future in reporting the realities of women and children, especially the girl-child, in Nigeria.

Ibrahim, represented by the association’s National Deputy Chairperson, Lilian Okokwo Ogabu, commended NLNG for supporting women journalists with digital communication skills that will bring them to par with contemporaries around the world.

NLNG, in collaboration with The Journalism Clinic, trained 26 female journalists in digital communication and social media skills for reporting stories and gender-based issues.

The workshop, delivered by seasoned journalist Mr Dan Mason in collaboration with The Journalism Clinic, led by Mr Taiwo Obe, proved to be a transformative experience for the participating journalists.

Leveraging their wealth of knowledge and experience, these experts adeptly guided participants through the nuances of digital communication and social media, empowering them to take control of their narratives and shape the nation’s stories.

NLNGChangeYourStory workshop has benefited over 90 journalists since 2015, reinforcing their digital communication and social media competencies.

The workshop is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of state-of-the-art training. Journalists emerge equipped with the confidence and skills to embrace digital communication and social media.

New York 2024: A Healthy Start with Vibrant Fruits

2024 began with an enthusiastic display of a variety of fleshy fruits in New York’s grocery stores and roadside stands, offering an enticing, colorful, and healthy start for residents. Rebecca Ejifoma explored some of these stores to experience the finest fruits first-hand and their numerous health benefits.

Not many will truly apprehend the Bible verse that says, “Be fruitful and multiply” until they bump into the aesthetic trays of fruits, an impeccable blend of freshness and elegance, arranged in contrasting brilliant colours in grocery stores and on the streets of New York, US. This metaphorical passage describes fruits as productivity, flourishing, and the bountifulness of nature. While it could indicate growth, prosperity, and the fulfillment of desires, fruit depicts sweetness, positivity, and wholesomeness.

Perhaps fruit is one spice that continues to lure people from all parts of the world to the US, a fruitful nation known for its rapid and constant growth, highly developed and mixed economy with a cultural imprint that spans the world.

Among the sweet and sour fruits are apples, apricots, cherries, grapes (blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries), oranges, tangerines, bananas, lemons, pears, guavas, plums, and peaches. Their colours range from green to yellow, and red through to burgundy, neatly so, each with many shades that would endear your appetite.

According to research, fruit intake promotes health, reduces the risk of some chronic diseases, and is seen as an excellent source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Fruits are believed to contain nutritious and nourishing goodness.

Apples
New York is known for apples in large crunchy sizes that leave you full and satisfied. They come in painters brush-strokes of red, and tangy green among others.

Research shows that apples are a good source of nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants which can help support healthy digestion, brain health, and weight management. There is evidence that apples can also protect against certain chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes

Apples, research has it, may lower one’s chances of developing cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, and heart disease, aid digestion, propel a healthy system, healthy weight loss, may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. They can used for snacks, salads, cakes, breads among a handful of others.

Apricots
When last did you add apricots to your diet?

Cherries

Grapes

Tangerines

Bananas

Lemons

Pears

Guavas

Plums

Peach

Oranges
Big, bold, and proud are the perfect words to describe the oranges in New York. From their appealing yellow shades like the golden sun to their unique over-inflated sizes, you will agree that one size fits all.

So, whether you savour some bananas, nibble some crunchy apples, or rind an entire orange at a go, their pin-point nutritious properties are sure to align well with your system.

Indeed, introducing fruits and vegetables to your diet plan is a bite at the cherry for premium health benefits to keep all doctors at bay.

Thus, its richness in fruits could be a great factor other nations could take a page or two from to become more fruitful.