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JournoTECH Trains 100+ NOA Staff on NewsAssist AI Across Southern and Eastern Nigeria

A cross-section of participants at  JournoTECH NewsAssist AI training in Imo State, Nigeria/June 25, 2025 for JournoTECH
Photo shows a cross-section of participants at JournoTECH NewsAssist AI training in Imo State, Nigeria/June 25, 2025/ Photo taken by: Harsco Global for JournoTECH

Port Harcourt & Owerri— Over 100 staff members of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) across the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria have been trained by JournoTECH on how to use NewsAssist AI, an innovative tool designed to promote ethical, accurate, and efficient information dissemination.

The training sessions, held at the NOA directorates in Rivers and Imo states, brought together officers from all local government areas. In Rivers State, the training was led by Faith Imbu and Blossom Gilbert-Amakiri, both members of the JournoTECH team. In Imo State, the session was conducted by Harriet Ijeomah, product manager of NewsAssist AI, Davidson Nwosu, and Winifred Ibe, beginning promptly at 9:00 AM.

Both training sessions were held separately on June 25 and 26, 2025.

Phot shows some participants after the the NOA Training in Imo State on June 25, 2025 NewsAssist AI training in Imo State, Nigeria, June 25, 2025// Photo taken by: Harsco Global for JournoTECH

The trainings focused on familiarizing participants with NewsAssist AI, a powerful platform developed by the founder of JournoTECH, Elfredah Kevin-Alerechi, a Nigerian innovator based in the UK. The tool is designed to assist journalists, legal professionals, educators, and public servants in carrying out time-consuming tasks such as transcription, summarization, data analysis, and content editing.

Photo shows some participants at the NOA Training in Rivers State on June 26, 2025
Photo shows some participants at the NOA Training in Rivers State on June 26, 2025

Elfredah, who champions the training initiative, explained the reason behind it: “NOA staff work across every local government area, educating and sensitizing citizens, especially in hard-to-reach communities without internet access or mobile networks.

“They are often the only link between these communities and national developments. By introducing them to AI and showing them how to use NewsAssist AI, we’re giving them tools to reduce the burden of manual transcription from interviews and field communications. It will help them save time and improve efficiency in their critical work.”

At the Rivers State session, Ms. Amucheazi Ifeyinwa Helen, Deputy Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, praised the initiative and the tool itself: “It’s particularly impressive that NewsAssist AI was created by a Nigerian. We often assume such advanced tools only come from abroad. It has everything from A to Z, and both the training and the tool are free. This was truly innovative and engaging.”

Mrs. Stella Maris Damian-Igwe, NOA Director in Imo State, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the JournoTECH team “for thinking outside the box” and equipping their staff with cutting-edge digital tools. She welcomed future collaborations and more trainings.

JournoTECH team member, Harriet Ijeoma with State NOA Director of Imo State/ Photo taken by: Harsco Global for JournoTECH.

Participants were given a hands-on demonstration of the tool’s functionalities, with emphasis on ethical use, browser compatibility, and the importance of clear input for accurate results. The sessions were interactive, with many participants expressing appreciation for the AI’s refusal to respond to vague or unprofessional commands—a safeguard designed to maintain ethical standards.

This initiative is part of JournoTECH’s broader mission to take AI and digital tools to the grassroots, ensuring that public service workers, even in underserved or remote areas, are not left behind in the evolving digital landscape.

Participants will explore topics such as understanding AI and its applications, using AI tools to enhance teaching, detecting AI-generated content and bias, and navigating challenges in AI integration. They will also learn how to localise AI solutions for their communities and gain skills to prepare students for future careers in an AI-driven world.

JournoTECH to Train Educators on AI Usage for an AI-Driven World

London, December 6, 2024 – JournoTECH, a platform focused on journalism training and tech skill development, has launched an exciting opportunity for educators to learn how to integrate Artificial intelligence (AI) technology into teaching. The program aims to help educators prepare their students for the demands of an AI-driven future while addressing challenges such as bias, ethical concerns, and the lack of localized AI solutions.

The training is designed for educators from developing nations, marginalised groups, and communities with limited access to technology. However, educators from the global North who want to scale up their teaching methods are also welcome. The program will focus on practical, hands-on learning, encouraging participants to come prepared to engage deeply with real-world applications of AI in education.

To ensure inclusivity, the training will be conducted in English, but translation services will be available to support participants who are not fluent in the language. However, attendees are encouraged to have a fair understanding of and ability to speak English to actively engage in discussions and activities.

Participants will explore topics such as understanding AI and its applications, using AI tools to enhance teaching, detecting AI-generated content and bias, and navigating challenges in AI integration. They will also learn how to localise AI solutions for their communities and gain skills to prepare students for future careers in an AI-driven world.

JournoTECH will offer support for internet access to participants interested in contributing data for AI models, with funding priority given to educators in higher and primary schools.

“This training is about empowering educators to harness AI for good. By equipping them with the right tools and knowledge, we’re helping to create inclusive, forward-thinking classrooms,” said Elfredah Kevin-Alerechi, founder of JournoTECH.

Applications are open now, with training delivered online and in select regional hubs.

With a focus on bridging the digital divide, JournoTECH’s initiative underscores the critical role of educators in shaping an equitable future where AI benefits everyone.