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Women Radio Centre Graduates Second Cohort of Female Investigative Journalists in Nigeria
Women Radio Centre Graduates Second Cohort of Female Investigative Journalists in Nigeria
The Women Radio Centre, Nigeria’s pioneering institution dedicated to empowering women in journalism, recently celebrated the graduation of its second cohort of the Female Investigative Reporting Training 2.0. This milestone event marked the culmination of an intensive training program that equipped 20 aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds hailing from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Renowned figures in the field of investigative journalism led the comprehensive training program. Notable among them was Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of Premium Times, who served as the head of the faculty for this year’s cohort. Joining him were esteemed facilitators such as Dr. Suleiman M. Yar’adua from Bayero University Kano, Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director of the Journalism Programme at CJID, Idris Akinbajo, Managing Editor of Premium Times Newspaper, Charles Mbah, Programme Manager at Dataphyte, and Silas Jonathan, Fact-Checker and Researcher at DUBAWA Nigeria.
During the training, Mr. Olorunyomi underscored the vital role of democracy and the protection of human rights in Nigeria, emphasizing the crucial role journalists play in holding elected leaders accountable and shaping public discourse. Dr. Yar’adua emphasized the ethical foundations of investigative journalism, stressing the importance of evidence-based reporting. Busola Ajibola offered sage advice on prioritizing safety in the line of duty.
Idris Akinbajo urged participants to delve deep into their investigations, uncovering hidden truths about individuals and institutions that could hinder Nigeria’s growth and development. Charles Mbah encouraged them to harness digital tools for data collection and analysis, thereby informing the public about relevant trends and indices.
Following their training, the participants, led by Toun Okewale Sonaiya and Dapo Olorunyomi, paid a courtesy visit to Abdulwaheed Odusile, the Ogun State Commissioner of Information and Strategy. Odusile shared his investigative journalism experiences and reminded the journalists to prioritize safety while ensuring their reports portray Nigeria in a positive light.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Co-founder of Women Radio 91.7, delivered an inspiring address, urging the female journalists to apply their newfound knowledge and leverage their network connections gained during the program.
This initiative, aimed at addressing the under-representation and under-reporting of women’s issues, is a collaboration between Women Radio 91.7 and the MacArthur Foundation. The Women Radio Centre’s 2023 fellows will receive guidance from accomplished mentors, including Anike-Ade Funke Treasure, Executive Director of Illuminate Nigeria Development Network; Amzat Ajibola, Africa Editor for the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism; Pinado Waba, a fact-checker and freelance journalist; Bilikisu Labaran, Head of Africa Service at BBC; and Dr. Ruqayyah Aliyu of Bayero University Kano.
This ongoing program is set to equip participants with the skills and expertise needed to produce impactful investigative stories from a women’s perspective, addressing issues of public interest.