More than 6,200 journalists have been empowered by Polaris Bank Limited through its Annual Media Capacity Seminar which has been sustained for over 12 years.
The milestone was achieved with the successful hosting of the 12th edition of the seminar, themed “Rebuilding Trust and Reinventing Storytelling in the Age of AI,” which attracted over 650 journalists, editors, publishers, media executives and communication professionals from across the country.
According to the bank, the initiative reflects its sustained investment in strengthening Nigeria’s media ecosystem through knowledge sharing, professional development and strategic engagement.
Speaking at the seminar, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, said trust remains the foundation of meaningful relationships between financial institutions, the media and the public.
Lawal who was represented by the bank’s Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communication, Rasheed Bolarinwa, said artificial intelligence is reshaping how information is created and consumed, making the preservation of ethical journalism more important than ever.
He noted that Polaris Bank’s continuous investment in media capacity development reflects its commitment to promoting knowledge, innovation, institutional excellence and sustainable national development.
According to him, journalists remain critical partners in nation-building because they shape public discourse, promote accountability and uphold the integrity of information.
Lawal added that while artificial intelligence offers immense opportunities for the media industry, journalists must continue to uphold professional ethics and public trust.
The seminar featured presentations by Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of Mass Communication Dept, University of Lagos, who spoke on “The Trust Economy: Strengthening Credibility Across Media and Financial Institutions,” and Chairman, Pros-hare, Olufemi Awoyemi, whose presentation focused on “AI in Newsrooms: Opportunities for Smarter Storytelling and Faster Reporting.”
The resource persons examined the opportunities and challenges artificial intelligence presents to journalism, while emphasising the need to preserve trust, credibility and ethical reporting.
Participants at the seminar also discussed strategies for maintaining editorial integrity, combating misinformation, responsibly leveraging artificial intelligence and strengthening public confidence in journalism.
