Sightsavers Nigeria has called for stronger collaboration with the media to promote disability inclusion, influence policies, and amplify the voices of underserved communities.

Sightsavers’ country director, Joy Shu’aibu, made the call while addressing journalists at a media engagement in Kano.

She said the organisation recognised the media’s role in shaping public understanding and influencing government policies.

The director said media engagement was central to the organisation’s advocacy efforts, particularly in ensuring that the government adopted and sustained interventions beyond the lifespan of donor-funded programmes.

According to her, Sightsavers believes that providing services in communities is not enough without government ownership and policies that support continuity.

“We want the policy document to reflect these changes and contributions we are making so that long after the funding for this programme has ended, the government can continue to provide these services,” she said.

Ms Shu’aibu said Sightsavers was strengthening its relationship with the media to improve public understanding of its work, noting that the organisation had implemented interventions in communities that rarely received public attention, making media visibility important for influencing policies and attracting support.

She said the organisation also wanted accurate reporting of its activities, noting that incomplete understanding of its work could result in misrepresentation.

According to her, Sightsavers’ work covered eye health, neglected tropical diseases and disability inclusion, aiming to improve access to essential services. Sightsavers traditionally operates in Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa and Zamfara, but its interventions extend to nearly two-thirds of Nigeria through partnerships with other organisations.

The director listed organisations such as Helen Keller International, CBM, Health and Development Support Programme and Microsoft as partners supporting the implementation of interventions in different parts of the country.

She explained that the partnerships enabled organisations with an existing presence in states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and Jigawa to implement activities without duplicating efforts.

Ms Shu’aibu also expressed concern over declining development funding globally, saying competition for available resources made it increasingly important for credible organisations to communicate their impact.

She urged journalists to continue reporting the experiences of people with disabilities and other underserved groups, particularly those whose voices are often overlooked.

The director said the organisation valued its relationship with the media, describing journalists as important partners in communicating the impact of interventions on individuals and communities.

(NAN)