Nigerian nutritional, health, agricultural and environmental journalists have been handed a powerful mandate: to harness the power of data and provide crucial context in their reporting to drive meaningful change in the nation's critical food security and ecological landscape, reports NaijaAgroNet.
This call to action came from the Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, at the closing ceremony of the 8th Nestlé Advancing Nutrition, Health, and Environmental Awareness Through the Media Programme held weekend at the Lagos Business School, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Elhusseini stressed that in an era of overwhelming information and widespread misinformation, the media's role as "stewards of truth is more vital than ever".
He specifically challenged journalists covering nutrition, health, agriculture and environment to go beyond mere accurate data, emphasizing the necessity of context.
"Numbers without context can mislead," he stated, elaborating that statistics on food insecurity have become far more impactful when linked to "a child's daily experience or a community's struggle with access," and a climate report gains urgency "when it reflects lived realities". This, he noted, "gives data its humanity".
The Nestlé boss highlighted that complex challenges facing Nigeria, from "food insecurity to climate change to preventable diseases do not operate in silos," and neither could those working to address them.
He underscored that "collaboration is not optional—it is essential," urging cooperation "across sectors, across disciplines, and yes, across the newsroom and the boardroom" to build a healthier, more resilient society.
In a notable demonstration of Nestlé's commitment to transparency, Elhusseini openly welcomed media scrutiny.
"At Nestlé, we welcome scrutiny," he affirmed, expressing the expectation that journalists would "hold institutions like ours to high standards," asserting that "constructive criticism sharpens impact" and fosters growth.
He further explained that Nestlé's "Creating Shared Value" business principle underpins their investment in initiatives like the media program. "Progress is shared or it isn't progress at all," he reiterated, emphasizing that "real change only happens when knowledge is shared".
He called upon journalists to "Keep asking questions. Keep building networks. Keep connecting the dots between what we eat, how we live, and the environment we depend on".
NaijaAgroNet recalls that the eight-year-old programme, has evolved from a training initiative into a platform for exchange and mutual growth, aimed at "promote informed public dialogue around the interconnected issues of nutrition, health, and the environment."
Elhusseini stressed that in an era of overwhelming information and widespread misinformation, the media's role as "stewards of truth is more vital than ever".
He specifically challenged journalists covering nutrition, health, agriculture and environment to go beyond mere accurate data, emphasizing the necessity of context.
"Numbers without context can mislead," he stated, elaborating that statistics on food insecurity have become far more impactful when linked to "a child's daily experience or a community's struggle with access," and a climate report gains urgency "when it reflects lived realities". This, he noted, "gives data its humanity".
The Nestlé boss highlighted that complex challenges facing Nigeria, from "food insecurity to climate change to preventable diseases do not operate in silos," and neither could those working to address them.
He underscored that "collaboration is not optional—it is essential," urging cooperation "across sectors, across disciplines, and yes, across the newsroom and the boardroom" to build a healthier, more resilient society.
In a notable demonstration of Nestlé's commitment to transparency, Elhusseini openly welcomed media scrutiny.
"At Nestlé, we welcome scrutiny," he affirmed, expressing the expectation that journalists would "hold institutions like ours to high standards," asserting that "constructive criticism sharpens impact" and fosters growth.
He further explained that Nestlé's "Creating Shared Value" business principle underpins their investment in initiatives like the media program. "Progress is shared or it isn't progress at all," he reiterated, emphasizing that "real change only happens when knowledge is shared".
He called upon journalists to "Keep asking questions. Keep building networks. Keep connecting the dots between what we eat, how we live, and the environment we depend on".
NaijaAgroNet recalls that the eight-year-old programme, has evolved from a training initiative into a platform for exchange and mutual growth, aimed at "promote informed public dialogue around the interconnected issues of nutrition, health, and the environment."
Chuks Egbune/Editor
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