By Tony Icheku

 The United States of America, USA’s Department of State has approved  International Visitors Leadership Programme, IVLP on Demand for Nigerian journalists under the aegis of of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT council.

 Chairman of the Council, Comrade Paul Ella Abechi  announcing details of the programme at the Council's congress explained that the IVLP on Demand was facilitated through the cordial working relationship between his office and the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy, Abuja.

 Theledgerng.com reports that Mr Abechi in the second quarter of 2018 will  lead the team of selected  journalists for the IVLP, a professional exchange programme funded by US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

* Abechi, NUJ, FCT Council Chair
The IVLP   targets experienced journalists and aims to boost their skills in promoting good governance,  transparency and curbing corruption. The Nigerian journalists are  expected to share knowledge gained from the programme with their colleagues upon  their return.

 Sources from the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy explained that “By providing this groups of journalists an opportunity to visit and learn  from outstanding American journalists who cover stories related to accountability and transparency in government, the Mission will help increase the capacity of Nigerian journalists to report on these issues professionally and effectively at home..

 “They are also pledging to share their knowledge with as many other journalists as possible. Therefore this IVLP On Demand supports the Mission's ICS goals of strengthening democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and fighting corruption and impunity”

 During the programme,  the Nigerian journalists will be exposed to a wide range of US media organisations with a record of promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in a variety of American media markets.

 The journalists would equally be exposed to research and reporting skills relating to government projects and spending, including how the Federal and State Freedom of Information, FoI Acts are utilised as well as data journalism skills and techniques. 
During the programme, possible inter locutors include Washington Post, WNBC-TV and WNYC (radio) in New York city, Boston Globe and WGBH or WBUH (radio), Chicago Sun-Times or Chicago Tribune,  Atlanta Constitution, and CNN

 Others includes KABC in Lois Angeles, plus national and local Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs working on good governance, anti-corruption, labour rights, criminal justice or environmental protection. They would also visit State Department bureaus