By Becky Maina
Gombe Journalists Embrace Solutions Journalism to Improve Maternal and Child Health
Journalists in Gombe State have pledged to transform the way they report on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) shifting from fault-finding to solution-oriented storytelling.
Participants in a recent training organised by Rotary International’s Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria project held in Gombe State say the skills they gained will enable them to highlight effective interventions that are saving lives and improving access to healthcare.
“This training changed my perspective,” said Rebecca Mu’azu of Voice of Nigeria. “Instead of just reporting problems, we should highlight solutions so the government can act, reducing maternal deaths.”
Najib Sani of The Guardian agreed, noting that focusing on solutions will drive real change in how communities and policymakers respond to health challenges his reports have always been the problem but that training has improved his capacity
For Abdulrazad Auwal Mungadi of The Daily Sun, the most significant takeaway was the need to shift from fault-finding to solution-oriented journalism, a shift he says has renewed his approach to covering RMNCH in Gombe by highlighting not just the challenges, but also what works.
Hajara Liman of the News Agency of Nigeria said Solutions Journalism focuses on responses to problems, backed by evidence, insights, and honesty about limitations, enabling her to tell balanced, credible, and inspiring stories.
Rebecca Caleb Maina of Gombe Media Corporation said the workshop sharpened her skills in humanising data and applying effective interview techniques to bring out compelling, solutions-focused narratives. She noted that combining statistics with personal stories gives audiences both the scale of the problem and the lived experiences of those affected, making reports more relatable and impactful.
The two-day workshop, themed From Problems to Solutions: Reporting for Impact, brought together five journalists from print and broadcast media to learn how to apply the four pillars of Solutions Journalism: examining how problems are being addressed, presenting evidence to prove effectiveness, drawing lessons from the response, and acknowledging the challenges that remain.
Veteran journalist Mrs Comfort Mukollo, Corporation, who facilitated the training said that constant problem-centred reporting can cause information fatigue.
Mrs Comfort Mukollo who is also Deputy General Manager, News and Current Affairs at Gombe Media stressed the need for ethical, culturally sensitive storytelling that resonates with local communities.
Gombe State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Grace Mabudi, provided an overview of key RMNCH statistics and the persistent challenges in the state.
She highlighted that while progress has been made, maternal and child mortality rates remain a concern, making it essential to strengthen community awareness and government support for family planning and other life-saving interventions.
Rotary’s RMNCH Project Manager, Mr Toyosi Adebambo, explained that the Rotary supports 27 health facilities in Gombe State with maternal and child health services to reduce maternal deaths and improve services
He emphasised that media reports should not only raise awareness but also demonstrate impact, noting that when people see the results of these interventions, they are more likely to utilise health facilities.
“we want a situation where women go to the facility and give birth,
No woman should die while bringing life,” he said.
Mr Adebambo said the media can play a vital role in strengthening public trust in healthcare, motivating government action, and ultimately reducing preventable maternal and child deaths in Gombe State through solutions journalism.