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Training | Survey | Career Advice | Database | Awards All Rights Reserved Published by Media Career Development Network 14 Fadare Street, end of Kayode street, Off Ijaye Road, Ogba, Lagos.

Email: [email protected] Website: www.mediacareerng.org Phone: +2348023000621, +2348050498530 Twitter: @mediacareerngr

R January 2021

Front page picture: Yiaga Africa/IPC media engagement on electoral reforms CONTENT

2020 Media NGOS/ Introduction 4 5 Institutions programmes

Daily Trust Foundation 6 7 Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation

Devcoms 8 9 International Press Centre

International Centre for Dataphyte 12 14 Investigative Reporting Participatory Communication Media Rights Agenda 15 16 for Gender Development Premium Times Centre Wole Soyinka Centre for for Investigative Journalism 17 18 Investigative Journalism

Africa Check 20 21 ActionAid

Media Career Development i-79 22 23 Network

Light Rays 24 25 Tech Mirror

Journalism and Development Institute for Media and Society Seminars Initiative 26 27

Code for Africa 28 29 Nigeria Women In PR

Journalism Clinic 30 31 Africa Women in the Media

Institutions – LASUSOC 32 34 Pan Atlantic University

UNILAG ALUMNI Association of Communication ‘Communication School’ 35 37 Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria Nigeria Guild of Editors 40 41 Survey Reports

‘Campus Reporter has helped Attestations 43 44 me to realize my potentials’ Media opportunities for students journalists in Nigeria 45 46 Awards

Funders 47 48 Quotes

How to enhance Database 53 58 media career in 2021

About Media Career 60 Development Network

3 www.mediacareerng.org

2020 Media NGOs/Institutions PROGRAMMES n year 2020, the Daily Trust to report about COVID-19 (ii) 2. Natural Resources and their Foundation, with funding from What to look out for in reporting Governance IMacArthur Foundation, US, herbal cures for COVID-19 (iii) had the following training how to humanize COVID-19 3. Nigerian Financial Sector activities: stories (iv) analyses of examples of reports from the United Kingdom 4. The Manufacturing Sector 1. Copy Editing: This training was (v) using data to report COVID-19 targeted at line editors, sub-editors (vii) 50 story ideas on COVID-19 5. Information and Communication and proof-readers at Daily Trust (viii) how to write an investigative Technology and eight other media houses in story pitch. Abuja. The objective was to take 6. Small and Medium Scale these gate-keepers through the For 2021, we are organizing Enterprises basic challenges in digital copy Master Classes on several beats to 7. Annual Budget Analysis editing. The curriculum was expose journalists to concepts, derived from a baseline research legal frameworks, principles and 8. Documentary Production. conducted by the Foundation on the issues in specialized reporting. common reading errors in online Also, they will be exposed to 'how and print newspapers today. to do interpretative reporting.' The Participants were taken through (i) three-day Master Classes for each Each of the training would have principles of copy editing (ii) specialization would cover the d a t a a n d d i g i t a l r e p o r t i n g common grammatical errors in followings: components. news writing/reporting today (iii) punctuation marks and their 1. Agriculture All these trainings are funded by the grammatical functions (iv) MacArthur Foundation, US. headline casting (v) common errors i n t h e u s e o f i d i o m a t i c e x p r e s s i o n & phrasal verbs (vi) news judgement: common sense and legal issues (vii) correcting d a n g l i n g modifiers (viii) practical copy editing.

2. Investigating COVID-19: This t r a i n i n g w a s c o n d u c t e d v i r t u a l l y . I t covered issues l i k e : ( i ) W h a t medical doctors expect journalists 6 www.mediacareerng.org Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation implemented three main projects in 2020 which includes the following: (1) Using visuals to tell stories of impact (Oct 7-8) (2) Conflict reporting and FactCheck (Nov 26-27) (3) News writing and investigative journalism for campus journalists under our Campus Civic Media Campaign project supported by OSIWA. The first two supported by MacArthur Foundation were for working journalists, while the last one was for undergraduates of Mass Communication from seven universities (hps://www.thecable.ng/cable- foundaon-trains-campus-journalists-on-invesgave-reporng) Cable Foundation trains campus journalists on investigative reporting able Newspaper Journalism building of journalists so we felt urged journalists to remember that F o u n d a t i o n ( C N J F ) that by building their skills, “journalism is not emotion, but Corganised a training for exporting them to the field, facts.” campus journalists on news writing mentoring them and giving them F e m i A t o y e b i , h e a d o f and investigative reporting, story assignments, they would investigations of the project, said b e t w e e n D e c e m b e r 7 a n d perfect their craft.” the participants will be paired with December 8. On the first day of the training, mentors after the training. The workshop, which took place in Olukorede Yishau, associate editor He also encouraged them to write Lagos, had in attendance students of The Nation, anchored a session pitches for investigative stories, from eight higher institutions which centred on elements of which would be considered for across the country. systematic, in-depth research and grants. They are the University of Lagos, reporting. Simon Kolawole, executive University of Ilorin, Lead City He advised participants to cultivate director of CNJF, urged the campus University, Lagos State University, the habit of reading, writing good journalists to pursue their passions and University of Ibadan, Crescent pitches and monitoring happenings in life and position themselves to University, Obafemi Awolowo in the country. make a difference in the society. University, and Nigerian Institute Juliana Francis, crime editor of Anjola Otubu, a participant from of Journalism. New Telegraph, took the second the University of Lagos said the The training was implemented session which focused on ethical training has enabled her to embrace under the Campus Civic Media and legal issues in investigative investigative journalism as a career Campaign (CCMC) of the CNJF, reporting. path. with support from the Open Society She emphasised that investigative “I learned how to write a pitch Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). journalism cannot be forced on a which was very important. I learnt Abiose Adams, senior programme reporter, rather it must be a calling. about ethics of journalism. I gained officer, CNJF, said the objective of The second day of the training a d e e p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f the workshop is to enable students featured Olukayode Thomas, everything I already know,” she hone their reporting skills. investigative journalist/sports said. “We wanted them to be participants s p e c i a l i s t , w h o s p o k e o n On her part, Badekan Olabisi, a in the democratic process using identifying and uncovering participant from the Nigerian journalism as a tool,” she said. corruption as a journalist. Institute of Journalism, said the “The Cable Newspaper Journalism H e a d d r e s s e d t h e d a n g e r s sessions were “excellent” and Foundation specialises in capacity encountered in the profession and changed her perception of investigative reporting. 7 www.mediacareerng.org Medical Science reporting ( N u t r i t i o n . C O V I D - 1 9 , Tuberculosis, Family Planning) Mentoring on Family Planning in the context of SDGs for journalists and groups Level across 13 States. Field Reporting and Investigative Journalism in Science and Public Health H e a l t h P r o m o t i o n / H e a l t h Education Material Development – The programmes implemented in COVID-19 lockdown webinars Audio, Video, Print, Online/Social 2020 and those planned for 2021 series Media are as follows: Why access to contraception is Mentoring Programme 2020 programmes critical in COVID-19 response, Science Journalism Writing and th DevComs studio promotional (24 of April 2020) M e n t o r i n g p r o j e c t support to up-and-coming musical COVID-19 reporting the science, www.africas.com.ng artistes and production -- Ongoing the hysteria and risk of emerging B e y o n d H e S a i d , S c i e n c e C a p a c i t y d e v e l o p m e n t f o r infectious diseases J o u r n a l i s m j o u r n a l i s t s , s o c i a l m e d i a COVID-19 maintaining demand M e n t o r i n g a n d influencers and MDAs across 8 for family planning services L e a d e r s h i p states. experiences from the field (29th may (SciJoMeL) Project A d v o c a c y v i s i t s t o m e d i a 2020) Immersion Journalism Programme organizations across 5 states (Abia, A national COVID-19 nutrition Capacity Building on Social Media Anambra, Rivers, Plateau and campaign (June 9th 2020) C o n t e n t Taraba) for institutional support Re-engaging student: The urgency Development and and buy-in for (TCI) projects in or cost-effective strategies (June Dissemination Nigeria. 20th 2020) Studio Production on Short format Albarka FM's, Bauchi State support Video and Audio t o w a r d s p r o m o t i o n a n d 2021 Content. dissemination of COVID-19 Health Reporting Training Series DevComs Radio Production and messages and related information. Thematic Training on Health and Airing

8 www.mediacareerng.org Despite the impact of COVID 19 and its related disruptions in year 2020, the International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos, remained at the front-line in building and enhancing the capacity of journalists and media practitioners to play crucial roles in reporting of development and related issues of corona virus pandemic in Nigeria. It implemented the following programmes.

Executive Director, IPC, Lanre Arogundadde facilitating training session I. Running of NDR news media performance in the coverage o n M e d i a a n d S t r a t e g i c portal and posting of at least of the democratic and electoral C o m m u n i c a t i o n f o r A n t i - four model stories/news reports issues. The survey involved the Corruption Agencies (ACAs), by per week: m o n i t o r i n g o f t w e l v e ( 1 2 ) the International Press Centre (IPC) IPC throughout the year ran print/online newspapers, namely, L a g o s - N i g e r i a , t h r o u g h a t h e N D R n e w s p o r t a l the Punch, the Guardian, Daily Sun, consultancy from the Centre for www.ndr.org.ng, managed as a Vanguard, ThisDay, Nigerian Democracy and Development project under the European Union Tribune, the Nation, Leadership, (CDD), under a project being Support to Democratic Governance Daily Trust, Blue Print (online implemented with the funding in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) through version), the Cable (published s u p p o r t o f t h e M a c A r t h u r which it published model stories online only) and the Premium Foundation. and disseminating professional, Times (published online only). public interest driven and inclusive Also monitored was the INEC's The consultancy entailed the reporting of the electoral process. t w i t t e r h a n d l e development of training modules ii. Conduct of Media (https://twitter.com/inecnigeria) and the provision of human monitoring of Newspapers, a n d I N E C ' s w e b s i t e resources to conduct and facilitate a i n c l u d i n g r o u n d t a b l e https://www.inecnigeria.org/ three-day workshop on 'Media and engagement with journalists: iii. F a c i l i t a t i o n o f Strategic Communication for IPC undertook a media- media and communication Anti-Corruption Agencies' for monitoring project, which entailed training workshop for ACA's: about 18 participants drawn from a day-to-day survey, assessment T h i s a c t i v i t y e n t a i l e d t h e the public communications, and information gathering on facilitation of a three-day workshop corporate affairs and external

9 www.mediacareerng.org communication departments of six - EU-SDGN. Over 60 journalists Centre (IPC) and the Institute for Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs). participants attended the webinar. Media and Society (IMS), assisted The ACAs personnel that in mobilizing the media to attended the workshop was drawn · IPC and ACSPN Webinar p a r t i c i p a t e i n a v i r t u a l from the Economic and Financial on "The imperativeness of safety roundtable/town hall meeting Crimes Commission (EFCC), consciousness and conflict organized by Yiaga Africa and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit sensitivity in media coverage and European Centre for Electoral (NFIU), Independent Corrupt reporting". Support (ECES) under the EU- Practices and Other Related Date: Monday September 7, SDGN project. Offences Commission (ICPC), 2020. Presidential Advisory Committee The webinar was held under The event, attended by about Against Corruption (PACAC), the existing partnership initiative of 90 journalists across Nigeria, held Technical Unit on Governance & ACSPN's Online Empowerment on Thursday June 24, 2020, with A n t i - C o r r u p t i o n R e f o r m s series and IPC's capacity building the theme, 'Media as Catalysts of (TUGAR) and Office of the Auditor programme for journalists, Best Democratic Practices: Yiaga G e n e r a l o f t h e F e d e r a t i o n pursuant to the objectives of Africa-ECES/EU-SDGN Town (OAGoF). The workshop was held Component 4b EU-SDGN. About hall meeting on electoral reforms in between Tuesday, February 25, 80 journalists attended the sessions. focus'. 2020 and Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Sawalino Hotel and Suites v. IPC/NUJ Virtual capacity vii. Media roundtable keffi, Nassarawa State. engagement on EDO and Ondo engagement and LIVE TV show iv. I P C / A C S P N elections on Edo and Ondo elections in virtual meetings. These include: · IPC held virtual media collaboration with IMS · IPC and ACSPN Webinar training for Ondo and Edo State IPC was active in engaging o n " C o m b a t i n g C o v i d - 1 9 journalists on 'professional, factual, journalists and media stakeholders Infodemic" for journalists. conflict sensitive and safety- ahead of the Edo and Edo elections Date: Friday April 24th, conscious reporting' of Elections. via roundtable sessions and LIVE 2020, The webinar, engaged and TV discussion programmes in Edo This webinar, which had over built the capacity of select and Ondo state, in collaboration 100 participants from media and journalists and media stakeholders with the Institute for Media and communications background was in Ondo and Edo State respectively. Society (IMS). held as a partnership initiative with The webinar, which held in The opportunity was used to the Association of Communication collaboration with the leadership further enhance the capacity of Scholars & Professionals of of the NUJ councils in the two journalists in the two states on the Nigeria (ACSPN) under its online States was aimed at deepening the need for professional, conflict Empowerment series and IPC's role of the media (conventional and sensitive and inclusive elections capacity building programme for n e w / s o c i a l ) i n p r o m o t i n g using the Nigeria media code of journalists, pursuant to the professional and ethical reportage election coverage. IPC was guest at objectives of Component 4b: of electoral processes, including TV appearances in Edo and Ondo Support to Media of the - EU- issues of inclusivity, accountable on issues of professional, inclusive, SDGN. democratic practices, factual and conflict sensitive and voter · IPC and ACSPN Webinar conflict-sensitive reporting of the sensitization. on "Humanizing COVID-19 process leading to the governorship 50 journalists participated in reporting". elections, the elections proper and the Ondo roundtable. Date: Friday May 1, 2020. emerging post elections issues, viii. Two FOI Capacity The webinar was also held as among others. b u i l d i n g w o r k s h o p s f o r a partnership initiative under journalists on using FOI ACSPN's Online Empowerment vi. Y i a g a A f r i c a - IPC held a two-day Media series and IPC's capacity building E C E S / E U - S D G N v i r t u a l training workshop on using FOI for programme for journalists, roundtable/town hall meeting on investigative reports of campaign pursuant to the objectives of electoral reforms fi n a n c e a n d C o v i d - 1 9 Component 4b: Support to Media In pursuant to the general a c c o u n t a b i l i t y i s s u e s . T h e of the European Union Support to objectives of theEU-SDGN workshop organized in partnership Democratic Governance in Nigeria project, the International Press with Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

10 www.mediacareerng.org is funded under the EU-SDGN September 23, 2020 at Grand Pela The forum was held on Project. Hotel, FCT, Abuja. Wednesday December 9, 2020 in ix. Media roundtable Lagos in continuation of IPC's with GOSIEC and stakeholders c o m m i t m e n t t o d e e p e n i n g The thrust of the workshop, on Gombe LG lections. engagement and consultations with was to sharpen the investigative T o w a r d s D e e p e n i n g media and relevant stakeholders on skills of participants to be Grassroots Governance, the approaches for guaranteeing safety committed in reportage that will European Centre for Electoral and improved welfare of Nigerian enable various stakeholders to use Support(ECES), collaborated with Journalists. the Freedom of Information Act as a IPC, and other partners to build the The forum, supported by the tool to facilitate transparent, free, capacity of the Gombe State Open Society Foundations (OSF), fair and credible elections and independent Electoral Commission w a s a t t e n d e d b y a b o u t 4 0 monitor COVID 19 funds. (GOSIEC), the Media and CSOs journalists from the print, The first workshop, which groups on the State's December 19, broadcast, online media, media was attended by twenty-eight male 2020 Council Polls. professional bodies, media related and female investigative reporters, The sessions of capacity groups, media professionals from political reporters, state house training for the key stakeholders, the academia as well as the civil correspondents and editors drawn comprising of the Chairman and society. from the public and private print, principal officers of GOSIEC, Present were the Nigeria broadcast and online media in political correspondents and related Union of Journalists (NUJ) Vice Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, media professionals, Persons With President, Zone E, Mr. AlHassan Osun and Edo States held on Disabilities (PWDs), women Yahya, representing the President Wednesday August 5 and Thursday g r o u p s , a n d c i v i l S o c i e t y of the NUJ, Mr. Chris Isiguzo; the August 6, 2020 at Pearlworth Hotel organizations, was to foster Social/Publicity Secretary of the and Suites, Ikeja, Lagos synergy and promote integrity in Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Ken the conduct of the local government Ugbechie, representing the The second workshop, which elections. IPC session focused on President of the Nigerian Guild of attracted twenty-five male and Conflict sensitive and inclusive Editors; the President of the Guild female investigative reporters, communications as well as the use of Corporate Online Publishers political reporters, state house of the Media Code of elections (GOCOP), Mr. Dotun Oladipo; the correspondents and editors drawn Coverage by journalists and related chairman of Lagos NUJ, Mr. Leye from the public and private print, electoral stakeholders. Ajayi and the Executive Director of broadcast, and online media from x. Stakeholders' forum on the Institute of Media and Society, parts of the north held on Tuesday Journalists' Safety and Press Dr. Akin Akingbulu, among others. September 22 and Wednesday Freedom Limitations in Nigeria.

Participants at a training session

11 www.mediacareerng.org n its first year of operation, Dataphyte implanted the follow Iprogrammes: Wo w ! A m i d s t # C O V I D 1 9 lockdown, 5 trainings + 1 award + 5 grants + 6 special publications + 200 stories + 1 state open data portal + 10 full time staff + 75 Campus Journalists; all in the first 12 months of @Dataphyte.

2020 Capacity Building for journalist on the use of open data for storytelling

● In the period under review, over 140 media persons from different organizations and Founder, Joshua Olufemi at a training agencies across the country were trained on data journalism i n v e s t i g a t e C O V I D - 1 9 organised in the fourth quarter and data mining. The 140 Spending”. The training was of the year. The online m e d i a p e r s o n s t r a i n e d aimed at enhancing the active workshop was focused on comprise over 55 journalists, participation of citizens to training journalists on how to 10 government officials, and demand accountability through understand the 2018 NNPC over 75 campus journalists. monitoring and reporting on audited financial statements. The key modules of the training public finance expenditure. On the 20th of August 2020, include; the essentials of data over 20 journalists were trained It became imperative to organize journalism, data as a media during a one-day intensive the training as preliminary sustainability option and the w e b i n a r o r g a n i s e d i n findings had already shown use of open contracting and partnership with the Facility disturbing items in government o p e n t r e a s u r y d a t a f o r for Oil Sector Transparency s p e n d i n g s a n d p o s s i b l e investigative reporting and and Reforms in Nigeria m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n a n d advocacy in Nigeria. At least (FOSTER). The training corruption in the management three of these training were tagged “Understanding the of the COVID-19 intervention done in collaboration with 2018 NNPC Audit Reports”. funds in the country. At the o t h e r c i v i l s o c i e t y The training was aimed at t r a i n i n g , C h a r l e s M b a h organisations including PPDC, e n h a n c i n g t h e a c t i v e facilitated the session “the TechHer, Daily Trust, PTCIJ, participation of citizens to s y s t e m a t i c u s e o f d a t a FOSTER and ICIR. demand accountability through analytical tools for reporting. monitoring and data-driven ● On the 26th of June 2020, The session built the capacity reporting on public finance over 15 journalists were trained of participants to apply skills of expenditure. The session also during a one-day intensive i n v e s t i g a t i v e a n d d a t a highlighted various story idea w e b i n a r o r g a n i s e d i n journalism in enhancing their perspectives from the 2018 partnership with the Public and contract monitoring and for NNPC audit report. Private Development Centre spotting red flags in contracting (PPDC). The training tagged documents. ● On 6th and 7th of October, “Use of Public Data to the organisation trained staff of ● One key training was one organisation (Daily Trust)

12 www.mediacareerng.org to improve the capacity of the economy, a reporter without Part of the activities in setting data journalism desk to the skills to first analyze these up the data journalism desk increase data-driven reporting concepts might find themselves involved training key radio and ensure that time tracking of in the deep end. All staff of the presenters and programme g o v e r n m e n t b u d g e t i n g , organization participated as leads at Splash FM 105.5FM revenue and policies are facilitators in at least one Ibadan on data journalism for entrenched in the day-to-day session. b r o a d c a s t i n g . T h e t e n newsroom culture. participants at the training were ● introduced to key modules, ● October 15th marked the including Data sourcing and launch date for Dataphyte's availability in Nigeria, maiden Campus Journalism Developing newsroom data initiative. The outfit The key modules of the bank; Introduction to organization welcomed training include; the S p r e a d s h e e t s f o r 7 5 a m b a s s a d o r s “ Journalists; Storifying s e l e c t e d f r o m 3 5 essentials of data journalism, Tables, Charts and tertiary institutions data as a media sustainability graphs; Venn diagram across the country. of accountability F o l l o w i n g t h e option and the use of open j o u r n a l i s m a s induction, was an contracting and open behaviour change i n t e n s i v e d a t a treasury data for c o m m u n i c a t i o n ; journalism training on introduction to data the 15th and 16th of investigative reporting journalism for broadcast October 2020. The training and advocacy media. became necessary to fill the g a p i n k n o w l e d g e a n d in Nigeria. ● In December, Dataphyte i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f d a t a trained key staff of CLEEN journalism in the Nigerian Foundation on Use of Big Data journalism schools. More so, f o r A d v o c a c y a n d with the adoption of open data Likewise, on 27th-28th of Accountability. The training policy in Nigeria, the need for November, Dataphye training exposed the staff to Principles effective data journalism birthed the first data journalism of Big Data, Story Mapping, becomes apparent. And with desk in a Nigerian broadcast Big data visualisation using the increasing volume of data n e w s r o o m , S p l a s h F M Tableau among others. in different sectors of the 105.5FM in Ibadan, Oyo state. Human Rights Journalists Network uman Rights Journalists seek areas of partnership and International Nigeria Network is a community of collaboration. Watching, Investigating, and HNigerian Human Rights Since the inception of the group last Reporting Human Rights In Nigeria journalists spread over the country year, we have organized different by Dr. Babatunde Olugboji Deputy with the aim and mission to build virtual capacity development Program Director, Human Rights collaboration and advance human training for the community. These Watch. rights in Nigeria. include: Understanding Digital Rights for As a means of achieving this Solution Journalism by Chibuike Human Rights Journalists by Mr. mission, we intend to also build the Alagboso, Nigeria Health Watch 'Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director capacity of journalists in the network Human Rights in the COVID-19 era, Paradigm Initiative. on human rights laws, advocacy, and the rights of the journalist and And Understanding and Reporting issues so they can be better equipped citizens by Nelson Olanipekun, Sexual Reproductive Rights by Ms. to address and report human rights Team Lead, Citizens Gavel Olayide Akanni, Executive Director, issues in the country. Women in Journalism by Betty Journalists Against AIDS. We work with Human rights Abah, CEEHOPE We hope to keep empowering media organizations, journalists from Mainstreaming human rights issues professionals covering the Human across the country, and globally to in journalism in Nigeria by Amnesty Rights issues in Nigeria. 13 www.mediacareerng.org against the nominee for corruption that was exposed by the ICIR. The project will last till 2022. Donor: National Endowment for Democracy NED

Strengthening the Campaign of S W O F O N f o r I n c r e a s e d Government Intervention The Centre provides technical support to the campaign of Smallholder Women Farmers in Nigeria (SWOFON) in the focal states of Anambra, Niger, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Oyo, Lagos and the FCT in their bid to access farm inputs, women friendly equipment, stimulus packages, palliatives and other resources during the COVID- 19 pandemic and beyond that are CIR implemented the following and gender based violence. vital to boost their productivity and projects in 2020 Among other impact on the project, livelihood sustainability. I Journalists were selected and we were able to secure the release Open Contract Reporting OCR of over 10 prison inmates who were funded to write reports on the The project is designed to build the awaiting trial based on the impact of COVID-19 on the capacity of over one hundred (100) collaborative effort of the media farming by the women. journalists on investigative and and CSO. In 2021, the project will focus on data driven journalism across the In the coming year the new project the double down campaign of the six geo-political zones to report on titled “FakeExpose” will focus on women farmers to their emergency budget and procurement processes reporting state sponsored or other demands seeking government in a bid to expose corruption. sources of fake-news centred on attention to avert impending food This project continues in the COVID-19 pandemic. crises nationwide. coming year with investigative Donor: Institute for War and Peace Donor: International Budget contents. Through this project, we Reporting IWPR Partnership IBP have improved the skills of To foster a culture of investigative COVID-19 Media Response journalists and promoted the and data driven journalism to Intervention Grant culture and practice of investigative p r o m o t e t r a n s p a r e n c y , The project assisted 20 vulnerable reporting across newsrooms in all a c c o u n t a b i l i t y, a n d g o o d small, local and community based the geo-political zones of the governance in Nigeria. organisation in the print and online country and exposed corruption at The project supports the Centre to media to continue to operate during the highest level of government produce investigative and data the period of the pandemic. The quarters. contents that holds government and selection of the media houses was Donor: MacArthur Foundation its officials and other corporate spread across the six geo-political Voices for change - Human organisations accountable to the zones. Rights Accountability and people. T h r o u g h t h i s s u p p o r t t h e Justice Project In the past years on this project, we organisations were able to stay The project tends to build the have had several measurable afloat and provide for major c a p a c i t y o f c i v i l s o c i e t y impacts and one of the most operational cost that reduced the organisations and the media as celebrated impact is the report that financial burden on them and human rights defenders to upturned the appointment of rekindled the zeal of their staff for collaborate and report on human corrupt persons into the board of the the job. rights abuses like police brutality, anti-corruption agency (ICPC) and Donor: Open Society Initiative for forced disappearances, extra their prosecution. A 12-year jail West Africa - OSIWA judicial killings, human trafficking term was secured by the ICPC 14 www.mediacareerng.org journalists did not have to pay for also championed the regional any aspect of the litigation process. efforts to get all African nations to All the journalists did was to make pass access to information laws. the FOI request for information and MRA has a number of publications when denied, signify to MRA that to its credit, most of which serve as he/she wants MRA to take it up for useful and valuable resources for him/her. students and researchers all over In line with its work of protecting the world. Its flagship publication is media freedom and in response to the monthly Media Rights Monitor safety of journalists and the issue of newsletter which reports on media n 2020, Media Rights Agenda impunity, MRA will in 2021 render developments from around the (MRA), in conjunction with the free legal services to journalists world. MRA continues to publish IInternational Press Centre (IPC) who are attacked in the course of Media Rights Monitor which it held two workshops on Using FOI performing their duties. Again, a began publishing since 1997 and for Investigative Reports of journalist who is assaulted in the contains various sections including Campaign Finance and COVID-19 course of his/her work only needs to local developments in the media, Accountability Issues in Lagos and walk into the offices of MRA and developments in foreign lands, Abuja for radio, television, signify his/her intention to take the attacks on freedom of expression. newspaper and online journalists. matter up legally and MRA takes it The newsletter also features a The workshops brought together up from there without charging the section for fellowships, awards and journalists from all over the country journalist a cent. competition from which many whose capacities were built in the MRA has collated and documented Nigerian journalists have won local workshops. cases of attacks against journalists and international competitions, For the year 2021, MRA also plans and has escalated some in various awards and fellowships. to train journalists from across the ways including at local and The Media Rights Monitor nation to understand Open international levels. This year, newsletter continues to be Contracting Data Standards and MRA, in collaboration with IPC, published and disseminated today how it can be used with the FOI Act petitioned the Code of Conduct in electronic format giving MRA to monitor public procurement. Bureau (CCB) over the attacks by the opportunity to reach even wider It has also been offering journalists the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave audiences beyond the shores of free legal and litigation service Umahi against two journalists: Nigeria. MRA will continue to either when their rights to report are Chijioke Agwu, a reporter with the publish the Media Rights Monitor breached or if they make FOI “Daily Sun” newspaper and Peter newsletter in 2021 and beyond and requests and are denied. Right now, Okutu, a correspondent of the will continue to bring opportunities it is offering free legal and litigation “Vanguard” newspaper. in the way of Nigerian journalists services to journalists who have In 2021, MRA will not only and others from all over the world. been attacked and would want it to continue to collate and document An email request from a journalist take up the matter for him/her in incidents of attacks against to [email protected] court, at no cost to the journalist. journalists but also take other puts him/her or any interested This, it is doing because it holds on actions that it finds appropriate person on the mailing list of MRA to the United Nations resolution including challenging the attacks in to receive its newsletter and other that journalists need to be able to court, petitioning local and important information it shares report freely without any hindrance international bodies and calling on regularly and which it will continue or attack. Journalists and media them to take specific actions. to share in the year 2021. houses are therefore encouraged to MRA is a leading advocacy group In the coming year 2021, MRA will seize on this opportunity if the need in Nigeria. It led the over 12 years carry out programming and project ever arises. civil society coalition, (the works researching, publishing, Specifically, under a project Freedom of Information (FOI) litigating, advocating, training and supported by Open Society for Coalition) efforts that led to the building capacities of various West Africa (OSIWA) MRA passage of the FOI Act and has sectors in the area of safety of rendered free legal services to remained the foremost non- j o u r n a l i s t s , F O I a n d O p e n dozens of journalists from across governmental organization Contracting, as well as digital rights Nigeria who made FOI requests to working to enhance the effective and will expand its work in these public institutions and whose implementation of the law. It has areas as opportunity avails MRA. r e q u e s t s w e r e d e n i e d . T h e 15 www.mediacareerng.org PAGED Initiative AGED (Participatory Communication for PG e n d e r Development) Initiative implemented the project Reporting for Gender Inclusive Development [RGID]; RGID is a media capacity building and a d v o c a c y p r o j e c t conceived to sensitize a variety of audiences on different gender dynamics and issues in Nigeria while building the capacity of media practitioners to tell human interest stories with a gender focus. RGID includes a travelling cinema, capacity building of media personnel and mentorship advocacy project aimed at lack of built-in crèches; lack of program. sensitizing a wide variety of security in covering certain events; Reporting for Gender Inclusive audience on COVID-19 pandemic disregard of certain managerial Development project implemented in Nigeria. The project will run for post. Some of the suggestions made several workshops on gender one year and is aimed at using during the session were the need for sensitive reporting for the media practitioners to tell human media organizations to provide the journalist. The workshop improved interest stories from northern following, mentorship programs the quality of reports by the Nigeria. The project aims to for younger journalists; use of journalist with over 160 reports p r o v i d e g r a n t s t o m e d i a technology to upgrade media from the project from numerous practitioners, through this project outlets; safe ways to report sexual mobile cinema screening at we hope to achieve human interest harassment; built-in crèches and Internally Displaced Persons reports about the COVID-19 regular trainings and workshops for camps and communities in Nigeria. pandemic and the effects on low- journalists to upgrade their The reports showed an immense income communities and Internally knowledge. improvement with regards to Displaced Persons. The project MEDIA CLUSTER MEETING gender and human-interest angles activity includes a two-day [2020] PAGED Initiative held a reports which gave way to several capacity building workshop of media cluster meeting with interventions with regards to the media professionals. journalists to showcase a series of plights of Internally Displaced MEDIA FOR WOMEN [2020] short documentary made in P e r s o n s a n d l o w - i n c o m e Watch women win is a yearly event collaboration with Centre for communities. A two-day workshop in celebration of International Information Technology [CITAD] was held in Maiduguri for RGID women's day, this year the theme on communities in Bwari and journalist on the use of Microsoft was Media for Women. A one-day Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital word in writing and editing of interactive session was held in Territory. The meeting was to foster reports for journalist, the use of Abuja with media professionals the need for collaboration with technology to disrupt journalism from different platforms to discuss media organizations to write and investigative journalism for the various challenges and barriers human interest reports to create public interest. women face in the workplace. A awareness and advocate for certain COVID-19 MEDIA RESPONSE short interview was screened for developments in communities PROJECT [2020-2021] COVID- journalists and the recurrent hence the need to build a cluster 19 Media Response project is a challenges they could relate to were group of journalists to work media capacity building and exclusion of women in covering towards a common goal. certain stories; sexual harassment; 16 www.mediacareerng.org Monograph Tree planting outreach with Agric team: 16 trees to commemorate international day of forests Documentary: 4

remium Times Centre for constraining the fight against COVID- MEDIA FREEDOM Investigative Journalism 19 in Nigeria Webinar: 3 Pimplemented many projects · Exploring International and and trainings in 2020 which includes NAREP Regional Instruments for upholding the following: Radio Engagements: 4 Press Freedom CAMPUS REPORTER Social Media Campaign: 7 days · Psychological effects of Trainings - 2 Policy Dialogues (Webinars) - 4: reporting in difficult times Clinics - 4 · Women in Mining in Nigeria: Tweet Meets: 2 Driving Innovation to manage the · The Economic Impact of DUBAWA NIGERIA mining sector in the Post-COVID 19 COVID-19 on the Media Industry Project - 6 Era ( Wo r l d P r e s s F r e e d o m D a y : Trainings - 2: · I n t e r n a t i o n a l P r e s s Journalism without fear or favour)) D u b a w a N E D F e l l o w s h i p C o n f e r e n c e : R e fl e c t i o n s o n · How the media can promote Training July 2020 G o v e r n a n c e i n t h e N i g e r i a n gender diversity and inclusion in Dubawa HBS Fellowship Training Downstream Oil Sector storytelling (IWD2020) July 2020 · Public presentation of findings Trainings: 1 on the theme Discussing Financial · N e w s r o o m M a n a g e r ' s DUBAWA GHANA Losses from Mismanagement of Training Organised trainings - 2: Funds within NDDC and its impact on MEDIA AND TERRORISM FEBRUARY: 16 participants from the region Webinar: 1 top media outlets from five regions; · Webinar on Women in Mining · Conflict patterns and the O C TO B E R : 1 0 i n fl u e n t i a l Monograph Launch humanitarian challenges since the bloggers from across Ghana coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria's Participated trainings - 5: Trainings - 2: insurgency region 1. For reporters of Ghana News · Reporting the current realities Partnerships: 2 Agency; informing governance of Nigeria's · Humangle 2. For reporters and lecturers of the downstream oil sector · Academics National Film and Television Institute · NAREP Journalists' Training organised by DW Akademie o n E x t r a c t i v e 3. For over 40 reporters in Ghana's sector and Climate Northern Zone (organised by CDD- Reporting Ghana) Policy brief 4. Over 40 Reporters in Central publications - 3 Zone (organised by CDD-Ghana) · Research 5. Over 40 reporters in Southern S t u d y o n t h e zone (Organised by CDD-Ghana) Q u a n t u m Webinar - 1 Corruption and Fellowships - 1 I m p a c t o f Financial Losses A D V O C A C Y A N D f r o m ACCOUNTABILITY Mismanagement Trainings - 4 of Funds by the Tweet Meets - 2: NDDC · World Health day (The role of · Beneficial Nurses and Midwives in curbing Ownership of the COVID-19) NDDC Webinar - 3 · Women In · N e g l i g e n c e o f P H C s M i n i n g

17 www.mediacareerng.org WSCIJ through the lens of 2020 * In April, the Wole Soyinka Centre (ICIR), and Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) with support from the (PTCIJ) carried out a survey M a c A r t h u r F o u n d a t i o n between April 27 and May 1 to commenced the COVID-19 Reality assess the support available to Check project as a response to the journalists for their safety in c o r o n a v i r u s ( C O V I D - 1 9 ) reporting the COVID-19 pandemic pandemic. The project is examining in Nigeria. Findings from the government interventions and survey showed the need for media promises in relation to the realities owners to widen the scope of their on the ground in terms of social support to reporters covering the welfare, water and sanitation, food pandemic to include insurance availability and accessibility, cover and provision of personal education, electric power supply, protective equipment to journalists. he year 2020 was tough, no and more. Five sets of journalists A fallout of the survey was the d o u b t . L i k e o t h e r comprising 50 journalists from 24 distribution of face masks and Torganisations, the doors of our media organisations were trained sanitisers to 19 media houses in office were shut for 5 months to curb and mentored on the ongoing Lagos and Abuja by the WSCIJ. the spread of the coronavirus. All project with 109 stories enabled so * For three months, beginning from the same, we intensified our efforts far. May to July, the WSCIJ team to serve humanity, promoting * A coalition of civil societies, monitored 14 news publications in investigative reporting and including the Wole Soyinka Centre Nigeria on the quality and quantum supporting journalists, and for Investigative Journalism of their reportage of four issues – invariably, their media houses, to do (WSCIJ), Enough is Enough education, electricity, girls and more nuanced reports on the (EiENigeria), International Press women, and health (including the pandemic, while also creating Centre (IPC), the International reportage of COVID-19 issues). platforms for discussion on salient Centre for Investigative Reporting T h e p u b l i c a t i o n s i n c l u d e d media and national issues.

Winners of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting award

18 www.mediacareerng.org Leadership Newspaper, ThisDay providing journalists with the conference package (all sessions). Newspaper, Guardian Newspaper, atmosphere to relax, reflect and Still in October, the WSCIJ Independent Newspaper, Tribune interact with themselves about commissioned three stories as a Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper, critical issues in the journalism fallout of the N2 million grant Punch Newspaper, Daily Trust, The profession and the society at large, awarded the 2019 runner-up of the Nation Newspaper, New Telegraph, held. The two editions provided a Wo l e S o y i n k a Aw a r d f o r BusinessDay, Daily Post, Premium platform to share experiences, Investigative Journalism for the Times and Sahara Reporters. opportunities and survival tips with television category, Sharon Ijasan, * In July, –the annual Wole Soyinka and among journalists amid job to develop a compendium on child Centre Media Lecture was held disruptions and other challenges labour and its underlying problems with the theme Data, media and during COVID-19. 50 journalists in Nigeria. n a t i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t . T h e were present. * December was particularly a busy usefulness of data for effective * The WSCIJ with support from its time at the centre. The WSCIJ held a policymaking, meaningful resource partner, Free Press Unlimited, virtual meeting on on Friday, 4 allocation and efficient public carried out a survey between December with reporters and service delivery was the highlight August and September to capture mentors for a COVID-19 media and of the lecture that held virtually on the successes, challenges and access to information project under Monday, 13 July 2020. 'Speakers at impact of the Report Women! its Free to Share initiative. The the event to mark Professor Wole Female Reporters Leadership project implemented with support Soyinka’s 86th birthday pushed for Programme, toward improving the from Free Press Unlimited provides Nigeria to have reliable, accurate programme in future as more support to journalists and media and relevant data towards national collaborators get on board. Findings houses in Nigeria to inform, development. from the survey revealed that the e d u c a t e , a n d d e b u n k * Two photo books on the project, which has accrued over misinformation to members of the challenges with basic education and 1 , 2 0 0 d i r e c t a n d i n d i r e c t public about the coronavirus electricity in Nigeria were released beneficiaries, has achieved its goal pandemic and its impact on by the centre in July. The photo exceptionally, having equipped livelihoods through the production books titled, State of Schools and fellows with knowledge and of quality public interest content. Living in Darkness, contain some of capability for leadership with 'Also, in December, the fifteenth the most compelling pictures from evidence of increased visibility for edition of the centre’s annual reports published under the the fellows as leaders in their flagship programme, the Wole REMOP project during the first newsrooms as well as changed Soyinka Award for Investigative three years of WSCIJ's Regulators news organisations' perception Reporting, took place, beginning Monitoring Programme (REMOP), about female leadership and the with a two-day In-depth Media also implemented with support representation of the voice of Conference themed, 'Masked not from the MacArthur Foundation. women as leaders in news reports silenced', where it was asserted that Lack of infrastructure, poor among other successes. the Nigerian media cannot be environment and sanitation, * In October, the WSCIJ played an silenced, nor its independence congestion and 'working children' active part at the 2020 edition of the diminished by oppression from are some themes covered in the African Investigative Journalism government, economic challenges, 'State of Schools'. Its electricity Conference, with its Executive or other trials. version, 'Living in Darkness', Director/CEO, Motunrayo Alaka, * In spite of the pandemic, we c o v e r s s a f e t y h a z a r d s a n d and some past winners of its award trained 266 journalists from 85 infrastructural decay in the programme, including Fisayo media houses through our various electricity sector among other Soyombo, Adekunle Yusuf and programmes, engaged 31 resource issues. The photo books reiterate Sharon Ijasan, taking up speaking persons, and enabled over 110 t h e n e e d f o r a n i n t e g r a t e d roles at the largest gathering of stories through the COVID-19 development approach by all investigative journalists on the Reality Check and Child Labour stakeholders in tackling the duo of continent. In fulfillment of its projects. We also rewarded 8 c h a l l e n g e s g i v e n t h e commitment towards facilitating investigative reporters in the year. interconnection between electricity international exposure for Soyinka While we thank you for allowing us and basic education. Laureates the centre also sponsored contribute our bit to the health of the * Also in July, two editions of its Wole Soyinka Award for media in Nigeria in 2020, here is to 'Time-out with Journalists', Investigative Reporting (WSAIR) greater reach and impact in 2021. WSCIJ's off-work aimed at laureates providing access to a full 19 www.mediacareerng.org he year 2020 presented a huge Nigeria. Africa. challenge for everyone of us To ensure they get all-around The feedback from these sessions Twith the outbreak of Covid-19 knowledge we invited facilitators was overwhelmingly positive and but most especially around from the Nigeria Centre for Disease we are confident that the training misinformation and disinformation Control (NCDC), the World Health objectives were met. After the that has to do with the coronavirus. Organization (WHO) in these workshops, participants now have a There were a lot of conspiracy sessions. clear understanding of what fact- theories, speculations, fabrications, We also partnered with the NCDC checking is, how false information around causes, prevention, and on many occasions during the past spreads, the importance of many unproven cures for the virus. year to train journalists, reporters r e p o r t i n g a c c u r a t e l y c a n In our fight against misinformation, particularly health reporters on how distinguish between facts and false we realized that the media remains t o f a c t - c h e c k a n d h a n d l e information using the digital fact- the go-to for people to get misinformation, especially around checking skills acquired. information, and as such these the pandemic. A large number of the trainees are media personalities needed the Also, during the year, we trained a now actively flagging specific right skills to help them report set of journalists on the BBC Media forms of misinformation and now factual information to the public. action team in Zambia on election- able to verify the origin of images We know that social media is an related fact-checking as they draw and videos using the online active factor in the spread of closer to the polls, we also trained verification tools, use credible misinformation, not ruling out the them on health misinformation so sources to report accurately on fact that a large number of the youth that they can continue the fight COVID-19 related news and other form the majority of Nigeria's against misinformation especially health topics, and use credible population as well as social media around health which is the most i n f o r m a t i o n s o u r c e s w h e n users and there is a need to preach common form of misinformation in reporting and publishing. self-censorship to these population so that they understand the dangers of the spread of false information. Due to these reasons, Africa Check, the continent's first independent, non-partisan, fact-checking organisation organized a series of fact-checking and verification training for journalists, media trainers and journalism students across Nigeria. In one of our training series, we conducted 14 virtual workshops with support from Google, where we trained a total of 509 media people including journalists, health c o r r e s p o n d e n t s , e d i t o r s , broadcasters across different states and journalism students from various higher institutions in

20 www.mediacareerng.org Humanitarian Crisis Reporting Training – 39 Media Executives Roundtable on Tax and Gender Responsive Public ActionAid Nigeria's Work • Foster information Sharing Service - 43 with the Media in 2020 through AAN Media Figures OTHERS Brief History Contact Sheet • AAN had 487 online media ecil Jackson-Cole founded • Solidarity support - Global mentions compared to 313 ActionAid in 1972 as a child dates commemoration e.g National recorded in 2019. These were C sponsorship charity. He found Media Roundtable held in mainly reports from ActionAid's 88 UK supporters to sponsor 88 commemoration of World Press event/activities that had media children in India and Kenya. The Freedom Day. presence. focus was on providing children • Nomination for awards – 5 • 134 Broadcast Media with an education. journalists were nominated for the Appearances In Nigeria, as at today we are global pluralism award. One • 26 Press Releases Issued w o r k i n g i n 2 3 s t a t e s , nominee was successful and has 2021 in view implementing 15 projects. proceeded to the next phase. • Protection initiative for Communicating Our Work -Pg journalists. – This is subject to 45. of our Country Strategy Humanitarian Response availability of funds. Paper (CSP) • Provision of PPEs to 102 • E x p a n d o n c a p a c i t y SO, WHAT DID WE DO IN journalists and 20 media houses building. – We plan to train 100 2020? Despite the pandemic. • Financial support to 4 journalists in the course of the year, Media Partnerships journalists. and deepen engagements with We took journalists to where the Funded and launched Research female journalists. story was by facilitating their visit Report on Impact of COVID-19 • Implement journalism to vulnerable communities, o n m e d i a o p e r a t i o n s specific projects. – This was especially those affected by natural & Survival. informed by the gaps highlighted (flood) and manmade disasters M E D I A C A P A C I T Y by the research report on the impact conflict and insurgency). BUILDING of COVID-19 on media operations. Fundraising proposal development In 2020, 5 media trainings held Implementation is subject to in partnership with selected media reaching 152 journalists as stated funding. organisations. below. 604 journalists have been • Strengthen partnerships Campaign partnership e.g. trained between 2018 and 2020. with media organisations in partnering with the media to reach Advanced Conflict Sensitivity relation to – content, fundraising and joint proposal development our communities and Nigerians Training. – 30 journalists etc. with information on COVID-19 Editors training on tracking and • I n s t i t u t i o n a l awareness and prevention, reporting spending on education in Strengthening for Journalists anticorruption, and awareness on Nigeria – 28 Against Poverty (JAP) initiative Gender Based Violence. Virtual tax justice training to operate a stronger platform Media Endowment - funded facilitated by International Tax capable of attracting funds without investigative stories. Justice Academy for journalists ActionAid. Strengthening Media Relations based in project states – 12

Presentation of the Research Report on Impact of COVID-19 on media operations & Survival. 21 www.mediacareerng.org n spite of the challenges brought to bear by the COVID-19 Ipandemic which ravaged the most of the year 2020, I-79 Media Consults was able to organise three virtual training series for campus journalists. The first in this training series t a g g e d " T h e D y n a m i c s o f Journalism in the 21st Century" held on WhatsApp between Friday, April 17 and Sunday, April 19, was Socio-Economic Challenges and to journalists in Nigeria and attended by about 400 campus Challenges of Investigative beyond. These opportunities journalists drawn from 32 campus Journalism in the Present Day include those about training, grants,

press outfits across Nigeria's six Nigeria. fellowships, workshops, academic geographical zones including the To wrap up the year's programme, a programmes, conferences and

Federal Capital Territory and the t h i r d trainin awards.

Republic of Benin. g In 2021, we plan to intensify our Facilitators at the training are two- In the New Year, training programmes to cover more “ “ time Amazon bestseller, Michael we will also make “ c a m p u s j o u r n a l i s t s - w h o Jacob; media scholar, Jonathan available, up-to-date intensified their reports after the Olajide and fact-checker with information to trainings - as well as professional Dubawa, Nigeria's first verification journalists on media journalists. Information regarding journalism“ opportunities these trainings will be provided in and fact-checking platform, Ibrahim Alawode. that cover their the coming weeks. The second training - held between areas of In the New Year, we will also make Interests. available, up-to-date information to Friday 8th and Sunday 10th May was h e l 2020 - was facilitated by Seyi journalists on media journalism d o n Novem opportunities that cover their areas G e s i n d e , d i g i t a l m e d i a ber 14, 2020, covering the art and editor/content marketing expert; of interests. concept of solutions journalism in Special projects which will Razaq Ayinla, head, south-west contemporary Nigeria. This bureau, Business Day and Kabir immensely benefit participating t r a i n i n g - a t t e n d e d b y 7 0 journalists are also in the works. Adejumo, freelance investigative participants - was facilitated by journalist & director, Campus Press For more information, visit Ifedayo Ogunyemi, a fact-checker Website: hps://i79media.com/ Hub. and senior reporter with the The training covered Ethical Facebook: Nigerian Tribune. hps://m.facebook.com/i79media/ Considerations in Online/Digital It is worthy of note that we provided Journalism, Developmental Twitter: detailed information of over 200 hps://twier.com/I79Media Journalism in the Face of Nigeria's media and journalism opportunities

Rasaq Ayinla Seye Gesinde Kabir Adejumo

22 www.mediacareerng.org Generating Organic news story (content) in a competitive and MEDIA CAREER DEVELOPMENT NETWORK challenging media environment in a post Digital Age. @EDITORIAL TRAINING AND INDUCTION FOR STAFF OF MARKETING EDGE, NOVEMBER 2, 2020 otwithstanding the disruption Enhancing career, vocational or #MEDIAGIG2020 of our planned activities for entrepreneurial aspirations through In partnership with TheCobuilders, in Nt h e y e a r d u e t o t h e freelance writing &strategic social California, USA we organized the Coronavirus lockdown and other media communications. #MEDIAGIG2020 which featured r e s t r i c t i o n s , M e d i a C a r e e r four virtual workshops with the theme Development Network was able to WhatsApp training Deploying Technology for Impact and implement some programmes and How to become a journalist, media Profitability in the Nigeria media in sustain online publications during the professional July and August. About forty year. Promoting Media Career in Ebonyi journalists participated in the sessions Our Executive Director, Lekan State. Sponsored by Orrin Education that covered The Current State of Otufodunrin also facilitated many Foundation Media in Nigeria Benchmarking, trainings organized by other training September Mental Awareness in Times of Great organisations. * How to DEVELOP and ENGAGE Change, Skills and Outlook for the Some of the major programmes and H U M A N a n d N O N - H U M A N New Media Age, Career and Project activities include the following: SOURCES for reports Development. Workshops/Webinars @COVID-19 Reality Check Project Training by Wole Soyinka Centre for Data Support of journalists The Journalist as an Entrepreneur Investigative Reporting , October To enable journalists participate in Lagos State House of Assembly 2020 w e b i n a r s a n d o t h e r o n l i n e Correspondents Association/ New * S t o r y t e l l i n g a n d c a r e e r programmes, we provided data Year Programme development support. About 20 journalists January 3, 2020 National Association of Insurance and benefitted from the support and wrote * Maximising media fellowships Pension Correspondents reports about they learnt which were and awards in 2020 November 2020 published on our website. Media Career Development Network * Pitching your stories for relevance February 30,2020, Lagos Basics of HIV Reporting Bayelsa Post-Election Training * Media, panacea for sustainable @JOURNALISTS AGAINST AIDS With funding from the United States business development in Africa (JAAIDS) NIGERIA, TRAINING Consulate General, Lagos a training Africa Students Entrepreneurs Summit November 2020 was organized for journalists in organized by Round News * Keeping HIV in the News Bayelsa State in September. June 29,2020 Basics of HIV Reporting The objective of the training was to * Building a media career and @ JOURNALISTS AGAINST AIDS enhance the capacity of journalists in breaking new models in a digital (JAAIDS) NIGERIA, November 2020 the state and make government age: Media Ethics and Practice in a officials more accountable for their Zoom conference by Digital Literacy constantly changing landscape oath of office and promote good Advocacy Club and CITAD @ USING VISUALS TO TELL governance. June 2020 STORIES '* Beyond the limits’ By Cable Newspaper Journalism Weekly Summary of opportunities Exploring Post-COVID-19 Survival Foundation Apart from regular publications on our Realities website, a weekly summary of major Inspiring Accountability through media programmes and activities that Overcoming the limitations of Solution Journalism Nigerian journalists can benefit from is COVID-19 Realities @ USING VISUALS TO TELL published every Monday with the tag Organised by Initiative for Social STORIES # M E D I A P R O G R A M M E S Impact and Sustainable Development By Cable Newspaper Journalism THISWEEK and Innate Communications Foundation

23 www.mediacareerng.org n 2020, LightRay Media Projects founded by Ejiro Umukoro focused Ion helping students across more than 10 universities in Nigeria to develop their Mental Resilience, Understanding Ethics of Journalism, The Power of Your Voice in Writing, Public Speaking, Storytelling, reportage and editorial; Longform ecosystem, help more journalists very early on do not understand that the Journalism vs Creative Writing – Two become authors as an optional means creative industry, which includes Sides of the Same Coin in an Evolving of income generation, developing your advertising, journalism, broadcasting Media, Youth Relevance in the Media, own unique style of writing, how to be are actually intertwined and act as a Choosing the Right Career Path and an outstanding speaker (most sought whole. Mass communication as a body Climb into the Media Ecosystem, after and highly paid), creating of study encompasses so much more. Finding Your Creative Hustle, How to powerful radio and podcast, the art of It is a great business platform, a great Report on Violence Against Protests being an outstanding presenter, mentor employer of labour, provides people a when Protest Go Haywire, World and so much more. 2021 is the year of means to express themselves and an Youth Skills Day at UN 75 t h more literary focus, promotion of opportunity to thrive in a world where Anniversary, including Gaining Trust reading culture, publication of more science has been so dominant that for the Media in the Fake News Era. books by Nigerian journos, presenters people just think anything that has to For each of these projects, mentees and other literary minds, with special do with arts is merely entertainment, were asked to write their reports on the f o c u s o n c a p t u r i n g y o u n g e r namely music and may be comedy, impact of these trainings as well as adolescents to help them start early in which by the way are thriving in their send in their story reports for pursuing a career in radio, TV, print, own sphere in Nigeria. We want a publication consideration. So far over podcasting, and introduction into situation where the literary part of the 12 stories have been submitted and audio books with the book titled arts, the journalistic and broadcast published by and through LightRay Distortion and Daughters Who Walk aspects of the arts also take their Media, sunreporters.com and Media This Path. rightful place where every generation Career Development Network who In particular, LightRay Media was of young people can aspire to become a gave a token to the best three well- created because there was a dearth in creative writer, journalist, broadcaster written pieces on how much they have skills expertise, lack of mentoring, and know that they can succeed, thrive, learnt from these sessions. lack of support system for young excel, make money and create impact In 2021, LightRay Media Projects will journos whether at the university and be referenced as role models, focus on building more partnerships levels or when growing up. There is a mentors and people who are change across the media and literary serious gap when young people from makers.

24 www.mediacareerng.org Centre for Lekan Otufodunrin (Executive Investigative D i r e c t o r , M e d i a C a r e e r Reporting) Development Services Network) P r o g r a m Adebayo Shittu (Nigeria's Former Brief: Event Minister of Communications) took a look at Yushau Shuaib (Chief Executive h o w O ffi c e r, I m a g e M e r c h a n t s Journalists Promotions Limited) can survive Yz Yau (Executive Director, Centre r e p o r t i n g for Information Technology and especially in Development) t h e 2 1 s t Kemi Areola (Special Assistant to c e n t u r y the Minister of Youth and Sports n 2 0 2 0 , t h e Te c h m i r r o r Digital age. The program which D e v e l o p m e n t o n I C T a n d Magazine hosted various held via Zoom had over 30 Corporate Relations) Idevelopmental events including Alibob Cinwon (Organizer, participants who learned from the capacity building workshops. facilitator, shared their ideas and National Youth Dialogue) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also gained more understanding on Sam Adegbola (West African most of the events were virtual. reporting in the Digital Age C o o r d i n a t o r, P a n - A f r i c a n Some of the events held are listed June 20, 2020: Building Viable Development Initiative) below with brief on participation. Nigerian Youths and Economy; Alabidun Abdulrahman Shuaib May 23, 2020: Post-COVID19: Role of ICT and Digital Literacy (Executive Director, Centre for Digital Literacy as a tool for Media Facilitator: Kemi Areola (Special Hunger and Poverty Alleviation Development Assistant to Hon Minister of Youth and research) Facilitator: Segun Adebowale and Sports Development on ICT G i d a d o S h u a i b ( E x e c u t i v e (CEO Shegs Communication and Corporate Relations) Director, YouthsDigest) Limited and Immediate Past Program Brief: The event took a Vincent Adeoba (Author, I am General Manager, Ovation Tv) look at how Digital Literacy can be Employable) P R O G R A M B R I E F : T h e used to promote Nigerian youths Theme: Developing Africa through Program took a look at the and economy especially leveraging the social media) importance of Digital Literacy in on Social media. The event held via PLANS FOR 2021 reporting, Media evolution and Zoom. With the year already begun, the development especially with the Abimboye Micheal (Senior Editor, Technmiror Magazine's Digital impact of COVID-19. It held on OperaNews) Literacy Advocacy Club have lined Whatsapp and Zoom with over 200 Theme: Becoming a journalist in up the following programs between participants. the 21st century January 2021- March 2021 JUNE 6, 2020: Building a Media Date: April 24 especially for media development Career and Breaking News Model Edaetan Ojo: Executive Director, Date: January 22 In the Digital Age; The Pros and Media Rights Agenda Theme: Becoming a journalist on Cons Theme: Media literacy as a tool Campus in the Technology age Facilitator: Lekan Otufodunrin for media freedom Date: February 12 (Executive Director, Media Career Program Brief: The program Theme: 21st century Skills of a 21st Development Services Network) which held on Twitter as a Century Journalist P R O G R A M B R I E F : T h e Tw e e t c h a t t o o k a l o o k a t Date: March 9 Program held as a TweetChat with strengthening media rights in the Theme: Identifying and fighting many journalists participating and Digital age through media literacy, fake news as a Digital Journalist engaging on the theme of the event. t h e e v e n t h a d m a n y t o p Date: March 25 T h e T w e e t c h a t h e l d v i a engagements from participants and Theme: Media Rights, Media @ r e a l t e c h m a r k e t a n d had key question, answer segment. D e v e l o p m e n t a n d A f r i c a n @lotunfodunrin Pan-African Social Media Summit Journalism evolution JUNE 13, 2020: News Gathering Date : November 12 and 13 Twitter: @realtechmarket, Ethics of a Digital Journalist Facilitators: Hakeem Ajijola @realtechmirror Facilitator: Yekeen Akinwale (Cyber Security Committee of Instagram: techmirrormag (Head of Newsroom, International Experts Chairman,African Union) Website: techmirrormag.com.ng

25 www.mediacareerng.org environment, democracy, human and development with trainers chosen democratic rights and as well, civic from a pool of trainers, made up of g o v e r n a n c e w i t h a v i e w t o e x p e r i e n c e d j o u r n a l i s m a n d mainstreaming them into national development experts from the industry discourse as intrinsic parts of national and academics. development. In November, an online mentor session Registered with the Corporate Affairs was held with focus on the Art of Commission, JADESeminars, a non- Impact Reporting. profit organization operates out of c/o JADES Research and Publications, ournalism and Development Suit B9, Alphacell Plaza, Plot 12, Ebitu which will focus on the media; S e m i n a r s I n i t i a t i v e , Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja j o u r n a l i s m , d e v e l o p m e n t , J(JADESeminar), a Civil Society What we do environment and gender among Organisation dedicated to the Made up of men and women who have others. advancement of development was distinguished themselves in the fields JADES documentaries: Production of formally iintroduced in September of journalism, diplomacy and law, short videos on development issues. 2020 by its Executive Director, Angela JADESeminars activities include These are disseminated via social Agoawike. An annual JADES Forum, that brings media and as content for television JADESeminars brings together together development experts, stations journalists and development experts, academics, journalists, civil society JADES Mentors programme and and uses the instruments of discourse, groups and non-governmental JADES Townhall dedicated to the debates, seminars, mentoring, organisations to x-ray a chosen issue of discussion of policy issues and their internships and publications to importance to the society. impact on Nigerians. advance issues such as gender, JADES Training for journalists and ‘How female journalists can be their own boss’ Masterclass session for female a better chance of long-term editor but they are not paying me j o u r n a l i s t s a n d m e d i a sustainability. where I work.” Aentrepreneurs has been held in “To be a boss in the media, learn self- She also emphasized that there are Lagos by Illuminate Nigeria promotion, create your own many other things female journalists Development Network (INDN) with opportunities and disconnect can do for outside their job that you participants trained on how to be their yourself from the business and see if can earn them additional revenue. own boss in their various media you are still making money,” Adamu “I have seen so many people that endeavours. stated. don't like the job they do but they are At the training, award-winning Illuminate Nigeria Development just there because they feel there is no Entrepreneur, Radio Journalist and Network (INDN) alternative. They feel they cannot do International multi-media trainer According to her, most businesses in anything elsewhere; they feel Nigeria with the British Broadcasting Nigeria fail because there is no is hard. Corporation (BBC), Ngunan Adamu structure to make them sustainable. “Nobody came to this world with just and Executive Director of Illuminate She advised participants to have and one talent. God gave us different INDN, Mrs Funke Treasure- write their business plan themselves, things that we can do, so if you look Durodola shared various tips and research, and have necessary inwards and connect with your ideas on becoming successful business structure. authentic self you will be able to entrepreneurs. Treasure explained that the workshop move forward with your life. I n h e r p r e s e n t a t i o n , A d a m u was informed by an urgent need to “It is what God has given you that highlighted five ways female train female journalists on how to run will put food on your table not, j o u r n a l i s t s c a n g e t i n t o successful media enterprise. necessarily what you read in school entrepreneurship, which includes the “If you know how to write, then you but the gift inside of you,” Treasure following: Diversifying your can make writing a service. You can counselled. income, Create a community, help people write proposals, you can Among other advice, she implored Diversify your team, Tell your own write biographies for people, you participants to be sensitive, be careful story so people care and pay know there are so many things you who they share their vision with and attention, Quality original content, can do. think inwards. and Bonus Balance. “You can be an editor; you can edit “Be authentic with yourself, think “If you can find an equilibrium across scripts for people. There are many big, you can do it if you have the right all the points and spend your time and other things you can do and collect people around you,” the Executive resources more evenly, you will have money for, not just saying I'm a good Director stated.

26 www.mediacareerng.org Institute For Media And Society discuss strategies for overcoming on policy /regulation, initiatives and challenges and improve efforts. industry responses in the context of Over 30 journalists, scholars, COVID-19. a d v o c a t e s a n d o t h e r m e d i a IPC/IMS Media Stakeholders stakeholders across six geo -political Roundtable on Professional, zones of Nigeria where engaged Inclusive and Conflict Sensitive Perspectives, challenges, and Reporting of the Ondo State strategies on how to improve media Governorship Election Wednesday, coverage of COVID - 19 pandemic September23, 2020 (Akure): highlighted by participants were The activity seeks to deepen the role of d o c u m e n t e d a s a n a d v o c a c y the media in promoting professional he Institute for Media and Society information. and ethical reportage of electoral is an independent, media non- COVID -19 Media Monitoring May p r o c e s s e s , i n c l u d i n g c o n fl i c t Tgovernmental organization based to October, 2020 (Virtual): sensitivity in media coverage and in Lagos Nigeria. The activity sought to monitor and r e p o r t a g e o f t h e O n d o S t a t e Our mandates include: Building the disseminate widely issues and Governorship Elections. capacity of the media; upskilling the challenges within and affecting the Media Stakeholders identified issues institutions of civil society and media in the context of COVID -19 and constituting challenges to media g o v e r n a n c e f o r a p p r o p r i a t e engaging relevant stakeholders on p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m M e d i a engagement of the media and such issues. responsibilities towards improving utilization of other communication 22 Editions of the online Newsletters: best practices in the media coverage of resources Our engagements will The Media and COVID -19 were the electoral process and wider continue to contribute to strengthening produced and uploaded to IMS website democratic governance issues were democracy and development in for the attention of media stakeholders identified, and documented for further Nigeria. and the general public. engagement. S E L E C T E D A C T I V I T I E S Webinar on: Engaging Journalists' Engaging Electoral Reforms IMPLEMENTED BY IMS IN 2020 Safety Issues in the COVID -19 October 2020: Training for Broadcasters on Period Tuesday, August 25, 2020 T h e a c t i v i t y s o u g h t t o Dealing with Misinformation and (Virtual): strengthen/provide improved media Disinformation on COVID-19 in The activity seeks to strengthen the access for participation of political Nigeria. Wednesday, May 27, 2020 capacity of journalists on safety issues parties, marginalized and vulnerable (Virtual): in the context of COVID -19. groups, such as: women, youths and The activity sought to improve the Over forty participants had their people with disabilities. capacity of broadcasters on dealing knowledge broadened on addressing Proposal was submitted to the National with issues of misinformation and safety issues in the context of COVID Assembly to engage electoral reforms disinformation on COVID-19 in – 19. for media access to political parties Nigeria. Collaboration between IMS and NBC marginalized and vulnerable groups, Over 35 journalists, scholars, strengthened to improve on capacity such as: women, youths and people advocates and with media stakeholders building for media practitioners, with disabilities. across the six geo-political zones of particularly broadcast journalists. Webinar on Focusing Journalism on Nigeria were engaged Webinar on: Broadcasting Policy Catalyzing Disability Inclusive Participants highlighted issues of Directions and Industry Responses Electoral Process in Nigeria disinformation and misinformation in in the Context of Covid -19 November 17, 2020 (Virtual): relation to COVI -19. September 30, 2020 (Virtual): The activity seeks to strengthen the COMMUNITY JOURNALISM IN The activity seeks to strengthen the focus of journalists on disability- T H E C O V I D - 1 9 P E R I O D : c a p a c i t y o f b r o a d c a s t e r s i n inclusivity issues and build advocacy S T R I D E S , C H A L L E N G E S , understanding/engaging with public on participation of Persons with OPPORTUNITIES Tuesday 30 policy directions and developing Disability (PWDs) in the electoral and June 2020 (Virtual): responses to challenges posed by democratic governance processes in The activity sought to provide a forum COVID -19 in Nigeria. Nigeria. for community media managers/ Opportunity for interaction between Project team was able to strengthen journalist, advocates and scholars to b r o a d c a s t m e d i a synergy with EU-SDGN project share perspectives on progress on the managers/stakeholders and the partners on disability inclusion. coverage of COVID -19 pandemic and regulator (NBC) to engage discussions 27 www.mediacareerng.org selection of stories. MapMakoko: Drone mapping in Nigeria Through Code for Africa's MapMakoko project, 17 women were trained in drone mapping and WanaData data-driven reporting skills, which has led to the mapping of Makoko, a marginalised low-income anaData, a pan-African MapMakoko, InfoNile's “Sucked neighbourhood in Lagos State, network of women data Dry” series, and Twaweza, which Nigeria. The impact of this project Wscientists, journalists and focused on partnering with in- — funded by HOTOSM and the technologists, achieved significant country organisations to mentor Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting milestones in the civic tech and data and train women to produce data- and supported by local NGO industry in 2020 amid challenging driven journalism on circumstances during the ongoing issues that directly Covid-19 pandemic. Members of affect them. the network were recognised with Outbreak: Africa's multiple awards, and collaborated D a t a J o u r n a l i s m on numerous impactful projects A l l i a n c e A g a i n s t across Africa. Covid-19 WanaData work in 2020 The pandemic brought T h e p a n d e m i c m e a n t t h a t to light vulnerabilities WanaData meet-ups and training w i t h i n A f r i c a n had to be fully online. It also c o u n t r i e s a n d presented an opportunity for us to economies — often launch 'Outbreak', a data-driven impacting women, children and Makoko Dream — was published journalism project aimed at minority groups most. The in many reputable mainstream strengthening critical reporting WanaData community worked media outlets across the world around Covid-19-related issues extensively on Covid-19-related including Agency France Press, across Africa — many of which stories, and in cooperation with Pulitzer Center, Yahoo News, affected women and minority Code for Africa and the Pulitzer CNN, BBC, Aljazeera English, groups. Centre on Crisis Reporting, Urbanet, Guardian Nigeria, Deccan O t h e r p r o j e c t s i n c l u d e d community members published a Herald, Devex and Pulse Nigeria. Country Director www.codeforafrica.org [email protected] @code4africa Nkechi Okwuone

ipples Centre for Data and Workshop organized Investigative Journalism by RCDIJ in 2020 R(RCDIJ) is a non-profit organization founded in 2015 by T h e c e n t r e i n Ripples Nigeria to support quality partnership with Open Journalists invited across Africa multimedia-based projects in contract Reporting, Code for were trained on Data journalism, investigative and data journalism, A f r i c a , B u r e a u o f P u b l i c Procurement, and Public sector training, public advocacy, and other Procurement, and JetSystem Tracking and monitoring in Abuja social projects in vital areas of organised RCDIJ Data Journalism on November 26, 2020. public interest in Nigeria. Masterclass 2020.

28 www.mediacareerng.org n 2020, I took my passion for more. We want to public relations to a couple of r e a c h m o r e Iinstitutions in Nigeria. Together i n s t i t u t i o n s , with my team @NGWomeninPR, more students we started the PR Student Campus who have eagerly Summit. indicated interest I have always believed that t o h a v e t h e undergraduates across tertiary Summit in their institutions in Nigeria need schools. opportunities to interact with Many times, the working professionals. It is one of event will be the ways students can properly virtual and so the equip themselves with adequate ASUU strike will knowledge to make informed n o t b e a decisions about their career hindrance. We choices. have established Call it Career Day for Public contacts with Relations, and you will not be r e s p e c t i v e wrong. Student Union During each Summit, we screen G o v e r n m e n t s #Tolucomms #LinkedIn #SDG4 applicants and select the best 5 as and Faculty Deans to help us T o l u l o p e O l o r u n d e r o our Student Ambassadors. The deliver on our mandate to attract N G Wo m e n i n P R 1 s t P u b l i c #NGWiPRStudentAmbassadors new talent to the profession. Relations & Communications will support our public education We are looking out for institutional Consultant | Board & Business objective and gain practical public partners and sponsors who are Advisor | Founder relations experience alongside. focused on direct impact programs In 2021, we definitely want to do like these.

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29 www.mediacareerng.org Network of Reproductive Health Journalists, Nigeria (NRHJN) edicating 10years to media advocacy on issues of Sexual Dand Reproductive Health and R i g h t s a s w e l l a s r a i s i n g consciousness to issues around he Clinic through its founder, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Mr Taiwo Obe organized by bringing all of these to the front Tvarious training sessions burner of national discourse have State University and Lekan which were mainly virtual. They b e e n v e r y c h a l l e n g i n g b u t Otufodunrin, CEO, Media Carer included the following: rewarding. Ipas, Nigeria under the Services. Media executives in Nigeria held a Leadership of Dr. Ejike Oji Hauwa Erelu Adeleye-Fayemi was session with President, Innovation S h e k a r a u a n d E m m a n u e l recognised for her contributions as Media Consulting Group, Juan Ugojimade the beginning a good "Gender and Humanity Influencer" Senor for insights and ideas on start and Ipas, Nigeria has and the award was presented by navigating the financial crisis continued to support the journey CEO of Journalists Against AIDS facing media organisations with trainings and exposures.. (JAAIDS) Ms Olayide Akanniand worldwide. Members of the Network of r e c e i v e d b y L a g o s S t a t e hp://mediacareerng.org/2020/05/2 Reproductive Health Journalists, Programmes Manager, Options 4/covid-19-way-out-of-financial- Nigeria (NRHJN) spread across 26 International/Evidence4Action, crisis-for-nigeria-media/ States celebrated 10th anniversary E4A, Ms Adenike Badiora The founder marked his 60th with a Lecture titled, "Nigeria @ There was also induction of new birthday with a zoom session on 60 60: Progress and Opportunities for members into the Network which exciting and rewarding jobs for Sexual and Reproductive Health was witnessed by BOT members: young journalists. He gave young and Rights Protection" and it was Drs. Ejike Oji(Chair), Hauwa journos a gift of knowledge, delivered by the Dean, Faculty of Shekarauand, Abiola Akiyodeand acquired in over 40 years of Law, University of Lagos, Profesor other dignitaries and Partners. practice. Ayodele Atsenuwa. hps://mediacareerng.org/2020/07/ First Lady of Ekiti State, H.E Erelu 16/60-jobs-for-journalists-become- Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi represented masters-of-a-niche-obe/ by Rita Ilevbare {Esq}, was the Africa Obe facilitated the Nigeria Guild of Guest Speaker who explicated on: Editors (NGE) Editor's virtual "Covid-19, A Pandemic's Assault Foundation for conference on November 29, 2020. on Gender Based Violence and hps://mediacareerng.org/2020/12/ Reproductive Health Services" Young Media 01/how-editors-can-create-suitable- Tw o o t h e r g u e s t s , S e n i o r digital-content/ Magistrate Amina Garuba Ahmed, Professionals With the support of Hakeem Bello, Chairperson Bauchi State VAPP Media Adviser to Works Minister, Law Woking Group and Dr. Imam media career development the Clinic held a zoom session for Wada Bello, Secretary, Kano State s e s s i o n o n M e d i a journalists to mark his birthday. Task Force on Covid-19 were on AEntrepreneurship: How to th For the 70 birthday of veteran the panel to discuss their state's take a piece of the pie was held for journalist, Mr Femi Kusa, former experiences. 240 students of the January to editor of The Guardian, fresh and Though the event was through March cohort of the Nigeria aspiring journalists had a session zoom webinar but Lagos members Broadcast Academy in Lagos. during which they learnt from his came together to add a little pep Virtual coaching was provided for wealth of experience. with some members receiving about 50 students of media studies awards presented by Dr. Tunde who reached out for help. Akanni, Senior Lecturer, Lagos

30 www.mediacareerng.org Project. AWiM and Fojo Media Institute, as 'Covid-19 for Journalists' podcast part of the Consortium for Human series Rights and Media in Africa AWiM launched a four-part podcast (CHARM), published a research on series featuring a range of guests and the barrier's women journalists in topics from journalists' safety to sub-Saharan Africa face. innovative reporting of COVID19, The study, which surveyed 125 mental health of journalists, and fact- women journalists from 17 different 020 turned out to be a very busy checking and verification. African countries, found that barriers year for the Africa Women in Labour Migration Reporting facing women journalists ranged 2the Media (AWiM) despite the Programme and Awards from sexual harassment to gendered pandemic. Some of the programmes In partnership with the African allocation of resources among held included the following. U n i o n C o m m i s s i o n ( A U C ) , o t h e r s . I t o ff e r s fi v e k e y R i s k C o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d International Labour Organization recommendations for media C o m m u n i t y E n g a g e m e n t (ILO) and International Organization organisations and policy makers.

Programme (June – August 2020) for Migration (IOM), under the Joint AWiM2020 Women in Media With the support of UNESCO, Labour Migration Programme Peace and Technology Virtual within the International Programme (JLMP), we trained 200 women conference f o r t h e D e v e l o p m e n t o f journalists on five courses, did AWiM2020 Virtual Conference was Communication (IPDC) framework, research on the lived experiences of held 23 Nov-4 Dec in partnership we were able to launch our learning women journalists reporting Labour with the African Union. The fourth platform AWiMLearning, and Migration in Africa. annual conference featured various develop what we called the Risk We received over 75 applications for presentations by media practitioners, Communication and Community the awards, and eight winners walked researchers, policy makers and Engagement Programme. The away with $500 each at a colourful CSOs. It also featured the Pitch Zone programme had three key elements: v i r t u a l c e r e m o n y h e l d o n awards where journalists pitched six courses (which we dubbed International Migrants Day. The story ideas to five categories. Each #RCCE2020), each produced by six winners are expected to use the grant winner won a $2,000 reporting grant amazing trainers; research into the to contribute to the labour migration to produce the story they pitched. impact of COVID-19 on East African discourse through their reporting Her Media Diary Podcast women journalists; and, we held a over the coming year. Through the podcast series, Dr training and editathon with our three Study on Barriers Faces by Yemisi Akinbobola interviews Wikimedia Nigeria, Uganda and Women Journalists in Sub-Sahara women in media to capture their Tanzania, as part of our Visibility Africa lived experiences and career journey.

31 www.mediacareerng.org INSTITUTIONS LASUSOC: Grand Pacesetter In Communication Scholarship

By December 2020, the Lagos State University School of Communication (LASUSOC) has had no fewer than five doctoral theses of five of its PhD students approved. In this updated piece by Dr Tunde Akanni, a Senior Journalism Lecturer at LASUSOC, follow the inspiring, pacesetting strides of the school.

Former Saturday Editor, The Punch, Mrs Bisi Deji-Folutile ( fourth from left) with lecturers of the School of Communication after the defense of her thesis n Tuesday September 1, 2020, been generously democratized. A conference with heavy turnout from t w o d a y s b e f o r e t h e Leicester University alumnus, he both the academia and the industry Oannouncement of LASU as has two others, yours sincerely, and inclusive of the print and broadcast the nation's second foremost Agboola Odesanya behind him in media as well as advertising and university according to Times his department. A multiple award public relations. The association H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n Te r t i a r y winner, Dr Jide Jimoh and yours has equally been consistent with Education Ranking, the tone was set sincerely, again were awardees of production of knowledge through for another trans-generational the top flight Chevening and Social its publications and occasional landmark at the Lagos State Science Research Council, SSRC. interactive sessions with leaders U n i v e r s i t y S c h o o l o f A dexterous reporter and editor with from the industry and the academia. Communication, LASUSOC. That an enduring bond with the industry, That's the stuff with which d a y, w i t h o u t a n y t o n e o f Oso again has cultivated public LASUSOC was originally made. compulsion, nearly all of us, as well intellectuals in the mould of the Twenty years ago when it was as the very diligent Faculty Officer, sitting Head of Journalism Dept, Dr taking off, LASUSOC broke new Mr. Olugbenga Oduyomi, yielded Jide Jimoh, who doubles as editorial g r o u n d s i n c o m m u n i c a t i o n to a 'conference call'. It was the first board member of The Guardian, scholarship which it sustains till Vi r t u a l C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e constant with his regular media date. How? Association for Communication interventions as well as yours In December 2019, the National sincerely sitting on the board of the Scholars and Practitioners of Universities Commission, NUC, Premium Times Centre for f o r m a l l y p r e s e n t e d a n e w Nigeria, ACSPN. Investigative Journalism, PTCIJ, curriculum for communication For no fewer than four years, publishers of Africa's foremost studies in Nigerian academic ACSPN enjoyed the privilege of online newspaper, Premium Times. institutions. Until then, all b e i n g l e d b y t h e v e r s a t i l e Oso's leadership of ACSPN may be universities in Nigeria, except Communication expert and scholar tough to match in many respects: LASU, had been running a single based at LASUSOC, Prof Lai Oso. Not a year passed without a national d e p a r t m e n t o f M a s s Oso's versatility, incidentally, has 32 www.mediacareerng.org C o m m u n i c a t i o n . T h e n e w easily. Ebullient Akinfeleye was prefer to hail themselves, then programme announced to the rather too enthusiastic to join Prof Special Adviser to Governor audience of representatives of all Idowu Sobowale, his former Ambode volunteered to support l e a d i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n colleague at the University of LASU Radio. That station has programmes in the country Lagos, who had emerged as the first since been performing creditably, comprised Journalism and Media dean of LASUSOC. selling LASU to the world, far and Studies, Information and Media Sobowale further attracted near. Undoubtedly, this station with S t u d i e s ; P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s ; renowned Prof Moemeka also the backing of the professional Advertising and Broadcasting. based in the US for a sabbatical stay. expertise and leadership provided From inception in 2001, LASUSOC LASUSOC thus became the toast of by the longest serving and had done this unbundling and l e a d i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n indefatigable Dean of LASUSOC, shared its appeal with all who cared. practitioners and scholars across Prof Rotimi Olatunji, contributed Not too long after LASUSOC Nigeria and even the West African immensely to the unprecedented commenced business, this novel subcontinent. In 2018 for instance, ranking of LASU as the second best approach it pioneered in Nigeria the annual Idowu Sobowale university in Nigeria. LASU became the bride of both aspiring International Conference was Radio's ubiquitous and relentless communicators and even the hosted in Sierra Leone. presence online is unmistakably established ones. Within its first ten The fifth edition of the conference impressive. It is interesting to note years, LASUSOC attracted will be hosted from 29th March – t h a t L A S U a c h i e v e d b e i n g sabbatical scholars from far and 2nd April, 2021 at the school. The repeatedly rated best State near. One of the earliest, Prof theme is MEDIA, PUBLIC university also under Fagbohun Anthony Olorunnisola is currently OPINION AND GOVERNANCE who routinely declares LASUSOC Head of Broadcasting, Film and IN AFRICA as a most reliable and supportive Video Studies and Vice Dean, Its therefore easy to guess what the programme. College of Communications, quality of LASUSOC graduates LASUSOC, with its soaring Pennsylvania State University, may be, compared with those of prestige, has kept on attracting State College, Penn State, United other Nigerian universities. A good inimitable patronage from local and States. A distinguished Fullbright number of our graduates who international civil society groups, Scholar, Olorunnisola not only sought postgraduate qualifications academic institutions and industry devoted his all to the teaching of at the University of Lagos came top leaders with collaboration offers on b o t h u n d e r g r a d u a t e s a n d of their respective classes. research and training. Some of postgraduates, he also shipped Back home, LASUSOC also these have been, not unexpectedly, down cartons of books for the cherishes its own graduates. accompanied by some 'turbulence. enrichment of the LASUSOC Currently a Dubawa Research Pulitzer laureate Premium Times library. He remains, till date, a Fellow and member of the LASU trained our students on a variety of m a j o r s o u r c e o f s c h o l a r l y Annual Research and Innovation new journalism skills, enriching inspiration not only to LASU but Fair, Dr Raheemat Adeniran, holder their capacity. Earlier, Prof Oso also the Communication and of three LASUSOC degrees has was persuaded to lead the Nigerian Language Arts programme of the also flown the flag of LASUSOC to leg of the Global Internet Policy University of Ibadan, which beat far away Birmigham as an Erasmus Project, GIPP, by the Washington LASU to a mere second place in the Mundus Fellow at Birmigham based Internews, among other latest ranking. University. A good number of global research undertakings. S o o n a f t e r O l o r u n n i s o l a , others in the public and private At LASUSOC, the enduring and LASUSOC became heavily star- sectors of the economy, locally and consensual culture is that whatever studded. The faculty got enriched internationally have added no less is worth doing is worth doing well further by Prof Femi Sonaike, values or reputation to LASUSOC, with the constant projection that former editor of Daily Times who endearing it to the world and by tomorrow can only be better. Soon, later veered into full time extension, the umbrella institution, very soon, our competitors will no lectureship in the US thus breasting LASU. This much height was longer be ones within the shores of tapes of optimal accomplishment in attained by LASUSOC for LASU Nigeria. both career tracks of practice and before the entry of the most Tunde Akanni (PhD) is a Senior scholarship. accomplished VC of LASU in the Journalism Lecturer at LASU and Yet another big masquerade was recent time, Prof Lanrewaju Adigun member of the International Prof Ralph Alabi Akinfeleye who Fagbohun. Advisory Board of Dubawa, retired recently from the Mass S h o r t l y a f t e r F a g b o h u n ' s N i g e r i a ' s fi r s t i n d i g e n o u s Communication Dept of the assumption of office for instance, international fact-checking University of Lagos. As they say, Kehinde Bamigbetan his fellow ex- organisation. only gold can attract another gold Ife, as University of Ife alumni

33 www.mediacareerng.org SMC Awards Four PhD Degrees at the 17th Convocation Ceremony of the Pan-Atlantic University or the first time since the i n c e p t i o n o f t h e P h D programme, the School of F ·Ijeoma Onyeator · Frederick Mordi Media and Communication, Pan- Atlantic University (SMC) awards Frederick Mordi, and Kelechi leading industry experts like Mr. four doctorate degrees in one year Samuel. Anthony Osae-Brown who is to graduating students of the Bureau Chief, Bloomberg; Mr. programme. The awards were Ikeddy Isiguzo who is Editor In presented at the 17th convocation SMC Trains Nigerian Journalists Chief of Momentum Africa Media ceremony of the Pan-Atlantic on Change Communication and Mr. Olatunji Ololade who is University (PAU), which took The 2nd run of the 10-day intensive Associate Editor, The Nation's place on Thursday, December 3rd, Change Communication training Newspaper. 2020 at the main campus in Ibeju- for Nigerian Journalists came to an At the end, participants were Lekki. end on Friday, November 20, 2020. awarded certificates and qualified Commenting on this achievement, The academy which was residential participants were provided the the Dean of the School of Media and fully sponsored, hosted 19 opportunity for post-training and Communication, Dr. Mike successful applicants from various engagements through support Okolo, said that it is a thing of joy media establishments in Nigeria, grants for research in their given for the school to see the four including Punch Newspapers, New fields of interest. students complete the programme Telegraph, News Agency of The objective of the Solutions and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. N i g e r i a ( N A N ) , N i g e r i a n Data Journalism Academy is to In his words, “We are very glad to Television Authority (NTA), Radio prepare participating journalists to have graduates who are going to Nigeria, Business Day, and a host of be champions of development and actualize the mission of the others. solution providers in the task of University. The ultimate aim for the Activities during the 10 day Nigeria's nation building with the University is to make a change in training consisted of intensive aim to become advocates and society. So, having four PhD classroom sessions by top faculty c a t a l y s t s f o r c h a n g e a n d graduates, knowing their pedigree members of the School of Media development. and what they do, we are very and Communication (SMC) and optimistic that they will meet that ultimate aim; and Media and Communication are one of the fastest ways to make an impact in society. Having a PhD means they can do a lot.” T h e S M C P h D p r o g r a m m e commenced in 2014 and has since produced six graduates from the programme. The four recipients of the SMC PhD degree in Media and Communication for the year 2020: Ijeoma Onyeator, Bolaji Akinola,

34 www.mediacareerng.org UNILAG ALUMNI 'Communication School' conduct research, and to publish Managing an old newspaper monographs and quality research brand: Daily Times Nigeria as p a p e r s i n p e e r - r e v i e w e d case study international and national journals. Class 1987 You are also expected to achieve Aliu Moyosore Akoshile success in competitive research P u b l i s h e r / E d i t o r- i n - C h i e f , grants, and to provide services to NatureNews and former Managing i t h t h e H e a d o f your School/Department, Faculty, Director/Editor-in-Chief of the Department of Mass university, and the external Daily Times WC o m m u n i c a t i o n , community. So far, we have adopted a rather University of Lagos, Dr Poju FACTORS TO CONSIDER confounding bootstrap strategy to Tejumaiye poised to sustain the WHEN SETTING UP A RADIO kickstart the brand from its near legacies of his predecessors and STATION IN THE DIGITAL comatose position. I believe ensure that the department AGE strongly that there must be some remains the best school of Olusesan Ekisesan intrinsic values in a brand name that Communication in Africa, one of Class 1979 has survived for nearly a century. the main features of its Alumni P u b l i s h e r / C E O K a l a h a r i B u t t o s u s t a i n t h e b r a n d WhatsApp Group which was Incorporated Minnesota, US & oxygenation against the backdrop effectively used in 2020 was its Lagos, Nigeria of the modest strides we have M a s t e r c l a s s d u r i n g w h i c h The digital age has brought online recorded, the issue of funding will accomplished members in various new but challenging opportunities necessarily be topical. communication specializations to further expand the capabilities of ESSENTIALS OF BRANDING presented papers on contemporary the medium and enhance its FOR A CHURCH. topics. revenue generating potentials and Oyinda Soderu. Key points from a few of the papers further grow a system that can Class of 1993 p r e s e n t e d a n d d i s c u s s e d sustain careers and build empires. It Pastor, Fountain of Life Church and extensively during the Masterclass is however not for the faint-hearted former Head, Media coordinated by the Mr Lekan Sote because running the system When sharing your vision, it (1979), Columnist and Managing involves nerve-racking encounters advisable to avoid words like Director PUBLICA Limited are and spirit-lifting moments, and it “best”, “leading”, “world class, reproduced below: takes more than a little patience to “number one “, “international” (if W h a t i t t a k e s f o r a ride it through. I have presented a you are not). Keep it succinct and communication specialist to much-simplified view of the easy to understand. Celebrate when make a successful career as a enterprise because the rose-colored your visions are fulfilled, however, university academic glasses will need to be removed and do not rest on your laurels. Keep Class 1982 sometime bare-knuckle encounters reviewing your long-term goals, to By Levi Obijiofor are not uncommon in the way the assume you have 'arrived' is to set Associate Professor of Journalism, interaction unfolds. your brand up for mediocrity and School of Communication failure. What is trending today, and Arts may become obsolete very T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f The digital age has brought quickly. Values are the moral Queensland, Brisbane, online new but challenging opportunities to further compass that provide direction Australia “ through life and they help you Life as an academic is much expand the capabilities of focus on what matters most and more than teaching and the medium and enhance dealing with a problem. Your marking assignments and its revenue generating corporate values must guide examination papers. It is all- potentials and further grow employee and congregational encompassing. You are a system that can sustain behavior. expected to teach, to careers and build empires. 35 www.mediacareerng.org DIGITAL DISRUPTIONS IN creative and compelling manner. accusatory questions: “why did T R A D I T I O N A L Finally, write a strong payoff. you…”. You can try “what JOURNALISM PRACTICE T V S P O R T S N E W S h a p p e n e d d u r i n g t h i s x y z Lekan Otufodunrin REPORTING: THE NIGERIAN episode/incident, because as I Class 1985 PERSPECTIVE looked from outside, I could not Executive Director, Media Career SOLOMON AJUZIOGU understand it.” Development Network Class 2002 I have found that in my many With more than 30 years newsroom Sport Producer and Reporter, TVC interview sessions I have had with experience, I can confidently state NEWS athletes – mainly footballers for me that many newsrooms in the Passion may be good in this beat, – they have ended up giving me country are still managed with knowledge and resources are more time than they thought they analogue mindset. The use of greater requirements. Many would give me because eventually computers instead of typewriters Nigerian broadcasters suffer from they had been so much at ease with like we did in my years in the this. It would also appear that the me. There might have been other department (1982-85) and Internet local broadcasters are dominated factors at play but I think the fact have not been maximally explored by individuals without requisites that I try to make them see that I am to enhance the quality of our journalism training to do this. A part just curious and interested in their process and content. Editors still of this specialization is sports angles, they have been pretty insist on reporters being in office commentaries. Whereas Nigeria relaxed. when some of the collaborative has had world record or African What is 5G? tools mentioned above can be r e c o r d i n s p o r t s r a d i o TUNDE ODEDIRAN utilized for many editorial Nobody can predict Class 1988 management activities. Global Head of IT Asset Reporters leave assignments with a high degree M a n a g e m e n t a t M o t t earlier than they should or of accuracy how 5G MacDonald, USA stay overnight because they will impact our lives. Nobody can predict with a still produce their papers However, we can high degree of accuracy how with minimal use of new already see it will 5G will impact our lives. tools. impact our lives. However, we can already see W R I T I N G Not only will it touch it will impact our lives. Not ADVERTISING COPY every area of life, only will it touch every area FOR PRINT MEDIA of life, it will revolutionize LADI FAFUNSHO it will revolutionize the mass media. With this Class 1999 the mass media. c h a n g e w i l l c o m e Chief Operating Officer at IMS commentaries, she has not been opportunities and challenges for Advertising Limited able to replicate this for TV. In any practitioners. Since the payoff is usually the one case the government radio Those who are prepared for change part of an ad most will remember, broadcaster which holds this record will end up as winners; but those because all your print ads will carry of some of the best seem to have who think 5G is a fluke are in for a it, even if they are 50 different ones. lost all of it and the personnel as surprise – they will end up in a This is why adequate attention must well. strange world. be paid to carving out a strong one. TRICKS TO REPORTING To people in the technologically- In summary, for effective print SPORTS advanced countries, these changes copy, first pay attention to the Calvin Emeka Onwuka may not be too revolutionary market research. Then make certain Class 1992 because home broadbands already the visual image and the headline Publisher www.aclsports.com provide speeds near to 5G in some are a couple, declaring, in a creative When sitting down to interview an places, and some already stream way, the selling idea. athlete, read up on them – content online or engage in Let the first line of the body copy extremely important. From reading immersive technology. The continue the story of this selling up on them you are able to frame revolution will be more profound in idea. Then let the rest of the body questions which you should take the areas of the world that are still copy identify the consumer need, with you there all written down. Do on mobile Internet, DSL and while telling the reader the brand is NOT give the impression that you similarly slow connections. In such the fit for that need, doing this in a know a lot more than you know countries, disruption is certain. about their sport. Never. Avoid 36 www.mediacareerng.org The Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria organized some training sessions and launched some publications in 2020. (See hps://www.acspn.com.ng/2020-annual-report/ for the 2020 annual report of the association) The Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) is committed to advancing the scholarly study and practice of communication by promoting and facilitating the pursuit of excellence in academic research and professional practice in Nigeria. The major programme for the year was its 7th Annual and 1st Virtual Conference. The report of the programme is reproduced below.

ll the promises on the University, Awka, as Zonal P ro f . L a i O s o , S c h o o l o f partnership, speakers, timing, Mobilization Officer, South East Communication, Lagos State Apresentations, and other Zone University, Lagos, ex-Officio activities at the 7th Annual and 1st Dr Dare Ogunyombo, Associate P r o f . K a t e O m e n u g h a , Vi r t u a l C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e Director, Media, Brooks and Blake Commissioner for Education, Association of Communication Nigeria Limited, Lagos, as Anambra State, ex-Officio Scholars & Professionals of Linkages Officer There were participants from the Nigeria (ACSPN) and Annual Prof Adebayo Fayoyin, Regional Netherlands, Nigeria, Ghana, General Meeting, from September Communications Advisor, UNFPA, Senegal, United States of America, 2-3, 2020, were implemented as East and Southern Africa Regional United Kingdom, Brazil, South advertised, producing what a Office, Johannesburg, First ACSPN Africa, Kenya, France, and Canada. notable Nigerian communication Diaspora Visiting Fellow & The special Panel on “The Media, and media scholar and professional Visiting Professor of Mass Artificial Intelligence, Nation in the diaspora, had declared, and Communication, Caleb University, States, and the Future”, moderated which was truly a LOADED and Imota, Lagos, as Diaspora Co- by the Nigeria Chair of IFAP and pace-setting communication forum ordinator, South and East Africa, Chief Executive Officer, National to be cherished for “long, long and General Publications Editor Library of Nigeria, Prof. Lenrie time”. Dr Abiodun Solomon Oyeleye, Olatokunbo Aina, featured - Mr. At the AGM, some new officers Lecturer, Department of Mass Alexandre Le Voci Sayad, were unanimously elected to join Communication, Caleb University, International Co-Chairman of the the members of the executive who Imota, Lagos, as Deputy General UNESCO-led initiative Global retained their seats. The new Publications Editor Alliance for Partnerships on Media officers are: 8. Dr Titilayo Osuagwu, a n d I n f o r m a t i o n L i t e r a c y Prof. Umaru Pate, Dean, School Lecturer, Department of (GAPMIL), Brazil, Ms. Emerald of Postgraduate Studies, Bayero Linguistics and Communication Adjei, User Experience Researcher University, Kano, as President, Studies, University of and Co-creator of Global Code Prof Oluyinka Esan, Visiting Port Harcourt, Rivers State, W o m e n ' s Chapter, Ghana; Mr. Professor, Department of Mass as Welfare and Logistics Officer 2 Monday Ashibogwu, Managing Communication, Caleb University, Mr. Monday Ashibogwu, Chief Director/CEO, The Republic Imota, Lagos, as Deputy President Executive Officer, The Republic Media Limited, Nigeria, and Mr. and Diaspora Coordinator, M e d i a L i m i t e d , L a g o s , a s Olusola Amusan, Artificial Europe and the Continents I n f o r m a t i o n a n d Intelligence Evangelist/CEO Dr Ifeyinwa Nsude, Senior Communication Technology Coven Works Inc, USA. Lecturer, Department of Mass Officer 1 The Female Researcher's Panel on Communication, Ebonyi State Mr. Celestine Achi, Chief “The Woman's Identity, the Media, University, Abakaliki, as Vice- Executive Officer & Founder, and Nationhood”, was moderated President, South East Zone, Digitalprwire, Lagos, Information by Nigeria's first female professor Mrs Ify Obi, Station Manager, and Communication Technology of Mass Communication, and Unizik FM, Nnamdi Azikiwe Officer 2 member, Board of Trustees, 37 www.mediacareerng.org ACSPN, Prof. Stella Chinyere of Education in Nigeria, Somalia UNESCO Information for All O k u n n a , N n a m d i A z i k i w e and Democratic Republic of Programme. On Day 2, HRH Igwe University, Awka, Nigeria, and Congo, Dr. Hayes Mabwezara, Onuora Nwuneli, Igwe Malume of Diaspora Coordinator for Europe University of Glasgow, UK, and Igbaku, Professor of Mass and the Continents, current Visiting Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Communication, and member, Professor of Mass Communication, Former Head, Department of Mass Advisory Group, ACSPN, spoke on Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Communication, University of “Communication Technologies and and new Deputy President, Prof. Lagos. Glocalised Identities”. Oluyinka Esan. Panellists T h e p a n e l o n “ P r o t e c t i n g The opening formalities of the included Ms. Faiz Abraham, Fundamental Rights & Freedom of conference, will include goodwill Executive Director, Institute for Expression: Lessons Learned from messages by the ACSPN President Advancement of Journalism, COVID-19”, was chaired by Prof. Lai Oso, Founder, Ben TV, Johannesburg, Ms. Edwinah Professor of Mass Communication London, UK, Mr Alistair Soyode, Orowe, Development Activist and and Social Change, University of Information for All Programme Media Consultant, Kenya, Dr. Jos who is currently on sabbatical at (IFAP) Chair, Nigeria and Chief Roberta Comunian, Kings Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Executive Officer of National College London, UK, and Dr. and Treasurer of ACSPN, Prof Library of Nigeria, Prof. Lenrie Samantha Iwowo, Lecturer, Victor Ayedun-Aluma. It had Olatokunbo Aina, and Officer-in- S c r i p t w r i t e r a n d D i r e c t o r, Prof. Jonathan Rozen, Senior Charge, UNESCO Multisectoral University of Bournemouth, UK. Researcher, Africa Program, Regional Office in Abuja, Mr. The Panel on “Flattening the Committee to Protect Journalists M a m a d o u L a m i n e S o w , Misinformation Curve in the (CPJ), Mr. Bunmi Makinwa, represented by Mr Abubakar Digital Age” moderated by the former UNFPA Africa Regional Salifou. First ACSPN Diaspora Visiting Director, Mr. Akin Jimoh, ACSPN Book Series 5 titled: Fellow, and Visiting Professor of Executive Director, Development Media Freedom, National Interest Mass Communication, Caleb Communications Network, and and Governance, edited by Prof University, Imota, Lagos, Prof. Prof Daniel Wale Awodiya, Lai Oso, Prof Rotimi Olatunji, Dr Adebayo Fayoyin, featured Mr. Delaware State University, USA. Dele Odunlami, and Dr Kola Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher, A second jointly chaired panel, had Adesina, with Foreword by Bruce Premium Times, Mr. Wallace Prof Oluyinka Esan, and Dr Anuli M u t s v a i r o - P r o f e s s o r o f Gichunge, Founder and Executive Agina, Lecturer, Pan-Atlantic Journalism, Auburn University, Director of Nairobi-based Centre University, Lagos, and focused on Alabama, USA, and published by for Media & Information Literacy, “Reimagining the future: Health, Canada University Press, Concord Kenya, Ms. Moji Makanjuola, W e l l b e i n g a n d P e o p l e ' s Ontario, Canada, was launched by Executive Director, International E n g a g e m e n t ” . D i s c u s s a n t s Prof. Idowu Sobowale, Chairman, Society of Media in Public Health, included Prof Sue Goldstein, Board of Trustees, ACSPN. Nigeria, and Prof Emmanuel School of Public Health, University A UNESCO publication on: Ngwainmbi, University of North of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Steering AI and Advanced ICTs for Carolina, USA. Mr. Jacob Enoch Eben, Regional Knowledge Societies: A Rights, The panel on “Reshaping Identities Communication Adviser, UNFPA Openness, Access and Multi- and Citizenship in the Evolving West and Central Africa Region, stakeholder Perspective (UNESCO Media Landscape in Africa”, and Dakar, Senegal, Ms. Rayana Series on Internet Freedom), was moderated by ACSPN's new Rassool, Regional Communication launched by Mr. Bhanu Neupane, President, and Dean, School of Adviser, International Planned P r o g r a m m e S p e c i a l i s t , Postgraduate Studies, Bayero Parenthood Federation, Nairobi, Communication and Information, University, Kano, Prof. Umaru Kenya, and Mr. Abdulmutallib A. UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, Pate. Discussants included Dr. Abubakar, Lecturer, Department France. Charles Muiru Ngugi, Associate o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n , The conference with the theme: Director, School of Media and University of Maiduguri. "Communicating Identities and C o m m u n i c a t i o n S t u d i e s , The first Keynote Address on Nationhood: Promoting Inclusive University of Nairobi, Kenya, Mr. “Promoting Inclusive Democracy Democracy through Access to Noel Ihebuzor, International through Access to Information and Information and Knowledge Development & Policy Consultant, Knowledge Societies”, was by Ms. Societies.", was in collaboration Abuja, and former UNICEF Chief Dorothy Gordon, Chair of the with UNESCO, Information for All

38 www.mediacareerng.org Programme (IFAP), and World Communication and Information the Conference Communique Commission on the Ethics of Sector, UNESCO Regional Office, during the AGM. S c i e n t i fi c K n o w l e d g e a n d Abuja, while Dr. Ruqayyah Aliyu, Expect more conference-related Technology (COMEST), and Vice-President, ACSPN North communication. Advertising Practitioners Council West, and Mr Idowu Lateef We appreciate the ACSPN and of Nigeria (APCON), and had as Olagunju, Secretary General, UNESCO team that worked coordinating moderator, Dr UNESCO National Commission, tirelessly to ensure a successful Chido Onumah, Vice-President, Nigeria, gave remarks. meeting. ACSPN North Central, who The General Rapporteurs, Dr A C S P N r e m a i n s o p e n t o directed affairs from his current J o s e p h Wi l s o n , A s s o c i a t e productive partnerships. l o c a t i o n i n C a n a d a . O t h e r Professor, and Mr Abdulmutalib moderators for the plenary were Mr Abubakar, Lecturer, Department P l e a s e v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e Olushola Macaulay, National o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n , www.acspn.com.ng for more on the P r o f e s s i o n a l O ffi c e r , University of Maiduguri, presented association. Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) Nigeria. Nigeria Union of Journalists. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Shingirai Vambe, Journalist and Media, Public Relations and the Publisher of The Post on Protocol Unit, Nigerians in Sunday, Zimbabwe Diaspora Other workshops held were; Commission (NIDCOM) Migration; Post Covid-19 Era: Miko Alazas, Communication The Role of Stakeholders Officer of the International Summit on Migration: Remedies Organization for Migration (IOM), for Covid-19 n furtherance of its desire to Gambia. 2nd JIFORM International enhance the capacity of its over AbdulWaheed Odusile, Managing Migration Summit I3 0 0 m e m b e r s a c r o s s t h e Editor, The Nation Newspaper and Border Management, Media and continents on migration and former National President, the Trade Facilitation. economic matters numbering, the media body organized four summit/workshops in 2020. Journalists The events beamed from Nigeria combined both virtual and physical Against presentations targeted at increasing AIDS t h e k n o w l e d g e o f m e d i a practitioners/ stakeholders on (JAAIDS) migration concepts/reportage, m i g r a n t ' s m a n a g e m e n t , o u r n a l i s t s A g a i n s t A I D S journalists with information and m a n a g e m e n t o f C o v i d - (JAAIDS) Nigeria, a Health skills needed to examine the impact 19/enlightenment on containment JC o m m u n i c a t i o n N o n - of COVID 19 on people living with strategies, migration governance governmental organization, HIV. and others in the below order: working in the field of HIV, AIDS, Some of the topics addressed at the April 25, 2020. Venue: Lagos T u b e r c u l o s i s , a n d S e x u a l training included: Living with HIV (Virtual) Reproductive Health/Rights issue in the context of COVID 19; Speakers organized a training on the Basics of Reporting HIV and Appropriate Use Deputy Comptroller of Nigeria Reporting HIV for young journalists of Language; Keeping HIV in the Immigration Service and the in November ahead of the 2020 News: How can journalists do this National Public Relations Officer World AIDS Day. more efficiently; Learnings from of the agency, DCI Sunday James. The programme was in response to R e p o r t i n g H I V I s s u e s ; Professor Kanu Ikechukwu the need for the media to provide Opportunities to Keep HIV in the Anthony, Rector, Villanova timely, accurate, and balanced News, Key Messages and Mo; and Polytechnic, Imesi-Ile, Osun State, health reporting and equip young Pitching your stories for relevance.

39 www.mediacareerng.org 16th Editors conference Communique Media, People and Covid-19: How to Create Sustainability in the Digital Era o n s e q u e n t u p o n t h e exigencies of the moment, the C16th annual conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, held via Zoom, with a view to deliberate on ways and means of sustaining operations of players in the media industry, in the face of the global Covid-19 pandemic which has adversely impacted on their survival. At the end of the one-day conference, with the theme: Media, People and Covid-19: How to Create Sustainability in the Digital Era, Editors explored new ways to create contents, with reporting in order to generate the media space through the use of aesthetics and overall values, that n e e d e d r e s o u r c e s f o r t h e creative headlines. would help sustain media as a sustainability of media industry. Recommendation was made for business in the country. Media practitioners are advised to periodic engagement with media The conference, chaired by Alhaji a d o p t c r e a t i v e u s e o f n e w audiences and communities to find Kabiru Yusuf, a Fellow of the Guild technologies to generate revenue, out about their habits and and Chairman of Media Trust by employing programmers, data preferences in order to create Limited, publishers of Daily Trust scientists, information and e n g a g i n g c o n t e n t s f o r t h e newspapers, resolved as follows: communications technology consumers. specialists, as part of the demands Editors expressed the need for It called for institution of reward of the new normal. media professionals to rethink their system for their audiences, in return r o l e s f r o m j u s t a s s i g n i n g , R e g u l a r c a p a c i t y b u i l d i n g f o r l o y a l t y a n d e n d u r i n g r e v i e w i n g , r e w r i t i n g a n d interventions are necessary to relationship. processing of words to creating ensure that the knowledge and Editors remembered and observed c o m p e l l i n g , e n g a g i n g a n d content provided are relevant and a minute silence for members of the impactful contents, in line with the applicable to the needs of the Guild who passed away in the last needs of their audiences. This has reading public. one year. These are: Malam Wada become necessary if they are to be The conference emphasised that Maida, a former NGE President; relevant and remain in business in while there are several options for Mrs. Ronke Fajemirokun of the age of digitalization and global m a k i n g m o n e y t h r o u g h B C O S , I b a d a n ; M r . D i j i Covid-19 pandemic. digitalisation of media businesses, A k i n h a n m i , G M , O G B C , Editors should begin to think as it is almost impossible to make a Abeokuta; Waheed Bakare, Editor, marketing officers and develop living without a large following. New Telegraph on Saturday; well-researched products that will Therefore, efforts should be made Malam Musa Ahmed Tijjani, respond to the yearnings of the to connect with the people, improve Editor, Triumph Newspapers, Kano people across all segments of the aspects of readers' lives and obsess and Abba Ado Gwarzo, a retired economy at all times. more with the audience through NTA staff. creative contents. That media business is about Editors expressed appreciation to people at all levels, therefore While identifying huge potential in its Partners for the support in practitioners should be less archiving photographs and offering ensuring the success of the first of obsessed with government officials of transcripts as reliable means of its kind (virtual) conference of the and focus on people-centred generating new streams of income, Guild. it canvassed for fresh air in the 40 www.mediacareerng.org Survey Report training · Natural Resource and Extractives Programme · Trainings for journalists are (NAREP) o get the views of the largely theoretical and there journalists who benefited from is a need to make it more · Data Journalism T t h e v a r i o u s c a p a c i t y practical developments programmes by · Open Contract Reporting media NGOs, institutions and Respondents received training in (OCR) project training others, a Google survey form was different areas of journalism shared through Twitter covering the from the following media · Fact- Checking following indicators including the development organisations: following: · Human Rights Reporting Gender, Age, Sex, organisations · Premium Times Centre for · COVID-19 Reality Check that offered training, trainings Investigative Journalism- training for reporters offered, most impactful training 32% and how trainings can be improved. · Media Development Career · S o l u t i o n s & D a t a The summary of the responses are Journalism Academy as follows: Network- 21%

Gender · Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism- 14.3% Journalists found the following Male-63.6% trainings impactful: · Light Ray Media- 7% Female- 31.6 · Longform Journalism vs Creative Writing Prefer not to say- 4.5% · International Centre for Investigative Reporting- · Leveraging on technology Age 10.7% to address social issues 43.5% of respondents are between · Media Mentors Network, amidst COVID-19 ages 18-25, Civic Hive, Civic Media Lab- 3.57% · Human rights and war 34.8% are between ages 25-35, related violations reporting Journalists who filled the survey training 21.7% are 35 and above participated in the following training: · Fact-Checking Training From our survey of journalists across 22 media houses, we · Leveraging on technology · COVID-19 Reality Check inferred that: to address social issues training amidst COVID-19 · · M e d i a d e v e l o p m e n t D a t a / A c c o u n t a b i l i t y organisations need to · Online course on how journalism expand their training net to journalists should cover the

include a wider range of coronavirus pandemic. benefitting journalists and How can organisations improve · O n l i n e H e a l t h areas on implementing training Misinformation workshop programmes for journalists? Our · Journalists appreciate survey respondents identified f o l l o w - u p s e s s i o n t o · G e n d e r a n d C o n fl i c t various ways and we have encourage implementation reporting training summarised them below: of skills acquired during

41 www.mediacareerng.org · Organisations should tailor-made to suit the · Organisations should introduce a feedback c u r r e n t n e e d s o f t h e consider creating impactful m e c h a n i s m f o r t h e journalists. The needs of training contents and p a r t i c i p a n t s t o g e t journalists ten years ago sharing them via social clarifications after the may not necessarily be their media channels training. current needs · T r a i n e r s n e e d t o · Organisations that want to · Just like some organisations incorporate more practical o r g a n i s e t r a i n i n g have begun, this training element in their materials programmes should get in could be taking down to touch with the Media campuses, so to ensure that · Follow- up long term C a r e e r D e v e l o p m e n t students learn the new support and mentoring for Network to publish on their trends in journalism and get trainees. platform so that those who acquainted with materials need those trainings will not and tools. miss out.

· Organisations can empower the journalists they train to c o n d u c t s t e p d o w n trainings. This would work in two ways as it would help journalist to remember what he has been taught and help other journalists to learn about the topic.

· Trainings should not be limited to urban areas alone Tech Mirror social media summit and organisations should focus more on getting more journalists trained on a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d t r a n s p a r e n c y i n government

· One of the ways through which organisations can improve is by ensuring that the training to be offered is Participants at a programme by Media Rights Agenda

Medrive training programme (Founder/Creative Director Wemimo Adewuni (third in front) with participants

42 www.mediacareerng.org ATTESTATIONS Many journalists benefitted various programmes and opportunities provided by media Non-Governmental Organisations, institutions and support groups. Two journalists shared their experiences. ‘Numerous opportunities I benefitted in 2020’ lfredah Kelvin, Rivers State F o l l o w i n g t h e C O V I D - 1 9 my mentor at the Wole Soyinka based journalist writes on the outbreak, it was not initially easy Center for Investigative Journalism E various opportunities she for me as a freelance journalist to on reporting COVID-19 issues in benefitted from despite the get funding support, but eventually, Rivers State. My mentor is superb, challenges many journalists had my applications seeking support as I used the knowledge impacted to to contend with due to the scaled through as I received funds build my skill in Journalism. Coronavirus crisis that affected from Rory Trust Peck, and I I also learnt how to report issues the media like other sectors. attended free online training concerning the Nigerian Justice Although, the beginning of the year organized by the same organization System, a fellowship sponsored by 2020 seemed tough, but it ended on Psychological First Aid: Mental CIVIC Media. well for me based on several Health Care Tips for Journalists I received grants to tell stories on opportunities that helped and grew I also received data support from COVID-19 and was also invited as my professional life. Media Career Development a resource person for a media It all started with the Accountability Network and it indeed aided my COVID-19 Response in Africa, all Lab Nigeria, where I learnt self- participation in so many online from PagedInitiative. development and the best way to webinars on reporting amid The opportunities to me in 2020 tell stories among others. I was C O V I D - 1 9 o r g a n i z e d b y were numerous and I will say supported with stipends for eight International Center for Journalists. T H A N K Y O U t o a l l t h e months and mentorship from In addition, I was selected and organizations that supported my different professionals. My mentor, participated in intensive training on work, and to my new media outfit, Samuel Akani is indeed a great man Fact-Checking organized by Peoples Gazette for trusting me to who impacted me with knowledge. Dubawa. And, this has so far built be one of the reporters to tell the big In March, I was among the 20 my knowledge on fact-checking. stories that have been making an Journalists selected by HEDA I participated in so many other impact. Resource Agenda and was trained training and fellowship which on investigative reporting. include, gaining knowledge from

I participated in so many other“ training and fellowship which include, gaining knowledge from my mentor at the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism on reporting COVID-19 issues in Rivers State. My mentor is superb, as I used the knowledge impacted to build my skill in Journalism.

Elfredah on an assignment 43 www.mediacareerng.org ‘Campus Reporter has helped me to realize my potentials’ improve on my subsequent exploits which has gone a long way in helping me improve better than I was before I joined the platform. Within six months that I joined Campus Reporter, I have been able to write about four impactful feature stories and numerous news reports that have exposed the ills in our society and prompted the necessary authorities to swing into action. The platform has also given me the opportunity to participate in a series of Journalism workshops, allowing me to network with erudite journalists and fellow young minds across the country. It has also given me more insights and experience beyond campus journalism as it gives me the avenue to do 'real-life' journalism and the privilege to travel to various states within the country which has all increased my level of exposure and e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e fi e l d o f u r u d e e n A k e w u s h o l a , C a m p u s R e p o r t e r p r o g r a m Journalism. 400level Usmanu Danfodiyo organized by Premium Times The greatest accomplishments that NUniversity Sokoto. Centre for Investigative Journalism excite me most in 2020 are the ones I For a cub journalist who was aimed at building the capacities of achieved through Campus Reporter battling with self-doubt, joining young journalists in Nigerian being the avenue which has given Campus Reporter is a life-changing tertiary institutions on how to me the opportunity to write experience for me. Campus engage in journalism ingrained in wonderful stories I never imagined Reporter has helped me to realize truthfulness, verification and source possible. my potentials, it has given me the scrutiny. Looking back on what I have platform to learn more about The mentorship I got from the achieved through Campus Reporter J o u r n a l i s m a n d t o p u t t h e platform allows me to know my has been a life time fulfillment for knowledge into practice. mistake, learn from it and use it to me. MY 2020 RECORD Ajala Samuel Akindele - @nucjpresident Fellowships -selected for @greensofa_betd || @YALIRLCWA || @WorldLiteracy @AIJC_Conference || Mini Grant - @PeaceFirstOrg Started @devafricanow, ran 3 projects & 3 programs Published over 100 news stories and special report on Picture @PremiumTimesng || @CampReporterNG Election Observation with @ptcij - for Ondo and Edo state || Travelled to 10 states in Nigeria Award: Finalist for @YouthsDigest || @Nigeriatechx || @TheOperaNewsNG || Webinars: 30+

44 www.mediacareerng.org Media opportunities for students journalists in Nigeria By Ajala Samuel Akindele atherine Pulsifer once said Campus reporter, News Digest, publish and showcase their data “Opportunities are presented Tr i b u n e N i g e r i a a n d o t h e r journalism content on Dataphyte. Cto us each and every day, but platforms. AFRICMIL: AFRICMIL is a non- do we see them. To see an Below are the platforms you can government organisation that opportunity we must be open to all check out for opportunities in the focuses on media, information, thoughts.” media and civic space. I would research, advocacy and training. It As a student journalist there are advise you to follow them on social aims to promote media and diverse opportunities in the media media for day-to-day updates. information literacy as a key and civic space that you can P T C I J - P T C I J i s a n o n - component in the enhancement of leverage on for your personal and governmental organization, democracy and good governance career development. With over founded in 2014, to promote a truly and the promotion of accountability three years of experience as a independent media landscape that and orderly society. They organize campus journalist, I can tell that I advances fundamental human capacity building projects for have accessed a lot of platforms that rights, good governance and student journalists and youths in have contributed immensely to my accountability in West Africa areas of concern. growth. Aside from learning and through investigative journalism, ICIR: The International Centre for enhancing my career, these open data and civic technology. As Investigative Reporting (ICIR) is platforms have made me contribute a student journalist you can have an independent, nonprofit news to the quest of holding the your works published on Campus agency that seeks to promote government accountable and nation Reporter and you can work with the transparency and accountability building. platform on the following projects - through robust and objective Should I talk about working with investigative reporting. The ICIR's Premium Times and Premium mission is to promote good Aside from learning and Times Center of Investigative “ g o v e r n a n c e a n d e n t r e n c h Journalism (PTCIJ) as an election enhancing my career, democratic values by reporting, observer, campus reporter, intern, these platforms have e x p o s i n g , a n d c o m b a t i n g project tracker and freelance made me contribute to corruption. They also engage journalist. Also participating in the quest of holding the student journalists in reporting, p r o j e c t s a n d f e l l o w s h i p government accountable election observation and capacity programmes from YALI RLC, and nation building. building training. African Center for Media and C a b l e N ews p a p e r J o u r n a l i s m I n f o r m a t i o n L i t e r a c y Campus Reporter, Election“ “ “ Foundaon: Cable Newspaper (AFRICMIL), World Literacy observation, Dubawa, Udeme and Journalism Foundation (CNJF) is a Foundation Ambassador, African other projects. nonprofit organization focused on I n v e s t i g a t i v e J o u r n a l i s t Dataphyte - Dataphyte Nigeria promoting active citizenry, Conference (AIJC), Berlin Energy Limited, publishers of Dataphyte is transparency, and accountability in Transition Dialogue, PTCIJ, a media research and data analytics Nigeria through investigative Dataphyte and other platforms has organisation with the mission to journalism, mobilization, and given me the opportunity to be deploy data tools and technology advocacy. The platform runs a opened and exposed to the real life for socio-economic development of project that nurtures a new demands of the civic and media Nigeria. Dataphyte is the for-profit, generation of development- space in the area of mentorship, research and development program o r i e n t e d a n d i n v e s t i g a t i v e internship and capacity building of The Interactive Initiative for journalists. trainings. Social Impact (The Interacve). The You can check Opportunity Desk, Aside this one can also have their platform has a project tagged I J N e t , I - 7 9 m e d i a c o n s u l t , news stories, features, special Dataphyte's Campus Journalist YouthhubAfrica , GIJN Africa and reports and investigative pieces Ambassador which allows selected o t h e r p l a t f o r m s f o r m o r e published on print and online persons to have opportunities to o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r s t u d e n t platforms. Personally, I have my learn tips and tools that will make journalists. articles published on Premium them a leader in the data journalism Times, The Nation Newspaper, space. It also enables student Ajala is President, National Union journalists to gain free access to of Campus Journalists. 45 www.mediacareerng.org Ralph Akinfeleye, said there were no winners in seven categories because the entrants did not meet the 70 per cent cut-off point. The categories are the Coca-Cola Prize for Brand Marketing Reporter of the Year; Chevron Nigeria Prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the AWARDS Year; Aviation Reporter of the Year; First Bank Prize for Business Publication of the Year; George- Bako Prize for Radio Reporter of ajor media awards to honour verbose; photo entries were the Year; TV Production of the Year journalists in the country for visually and professionally weak; and TV Drama of the Year. Moutstanding reports and and most of the cartoons lacked wit According to Akinfeleye, the other content held in 2020 with and humour. entries for investigative reporting virtual options for participants and Justifying the need for media lacked depth and were fewer than guests. awards, Lanre Idowu, Supervising last year's, noting that “some of the The awards held included the Trustee of DAME said “It is write-ups are left footed, both Nigeria Media Merit Award essential to separate the wheat from structurally and conceptually. (NMMA), Diamond Award for the shaft by honouring our “Media owners should invest and Media Excellence (dame) and Wole committed and enterprising media provide adequate funding for S o y i n k a f o r I n v e s t i g a t i v e professionals.” investigative reporting because it is Reporting. “We believe, by so doing, we are time consuming and of a high-risk O t h e r s w e r e P w C M e d i a renewing faith in our society, venture.” Excellence Awards and Migration encouraging hope for a greater He also noted that many of the Reporter Competition during tomorrow and keeping alive the entries for Female Reporter of the which journalists and the media dream for a better practice. Year lacked focus, with some organisations were awarded “In the face of the menace of fakery entries even tangential to the different categories and prizes. in news dissemination and subject matter. According to Professor Abigail technological liberalisation of H e p r a i s e d t h e e n t r i e s f o r Ogwezzy-Ndisika, chair of the access which makes everyone a Columnist of the Year, for which no Wole Soyinka Award 2020 judges' reporter, editor and publisher, it is winner was declared, saying they board, the finalists showed critical to continue to stress the vital were “highly commendable”, uncommon profundity, ethical role journalists play in serving the “relevant”, “informative as well as journalistic courage, individual public with news that they can educative”. creativity and public benefit in their trust,” Idowu stated. “Topical and contemporary issues reports. She however, observed that While commending the winning were treated with robust local many of the online entries were entries for the award, Chairman, examples,” he said. NMMA panel of assessors, Prof

The Nation Newspaper award winners

46 www.mediacareerng.org

F U N D E R S F U N D E R S

Most of the training programmes and activities of media NGOs and institutions would not have been held but for the support of various funders and corporate organisations. In the year under review some of the major funders include the following;

47 www.mediacareerng.org QUOTES FROM INTERVIEWS ON CAPACITY/CAREER DEVELOPMENT How to enhance capacity/career development In 2020, some top media professionals were interviewed on their career journeys during which they shared their thoughts on capacity/career development. Key quotes from the interviews published in www.mediacareerng.com are reproduced here.

Carefully study the job description and required skill set - Soyinka What are the basic requirements to be employed in international media organizations based on your experience? I would say education, skills and experience. The requirements are not much different from what is obtainable in other newsrooms, locally. It is just that you need to carefully study the job description and required skill set and be sure that you have them before bothering to apply for the role. I must also say that colleagues need to understand that the era where it was sufficient to have just one skill as a journalist is over. Today's journalist is expected to have multi-media skills. What is your advice for journalists seeking to enhance their career and taking advantage of global opportunities? Acquire multi-media skills and if possible, learn a second international language apart from English. Then actively seek out such international opportunities. Go online and search for them. In some cases, you may need to register your profile on some platforms so that whenever opportunities are matching your skills and experience, you get an automated invitation to apply for such roles. For instance, I know you can do that on the Jobs board of The Conversation Africa website and you can do that on the BBC Careers website. Adejuwon Soyinka, a 2019 Emmy Awards nominee, is Regional Editor (West Africa) The Conversaon Africa. Before his present appointment, he was Editor/Head, BBC Pidgin Service at BBC World Service, Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Ogun State Governor, Deputy General Editor, TELL and Editor, www.tell.ng at Tell Magazine.

Uphold ethical standards - Akoshile What is your advice for media professionals who want to excel and remain relevant in the industry? The hallmark of media excellence is absolute professionalism. It's as simple as that. A journalist that wants to be relevant will continue to uphold ethical standards in discharging the weighty burden of public trust that journalism entails. Once firmly established, the reporter's integrity encourages the readers to vouch for the credibility of the news, even if the news report was unpalatable. Mr. Aliu Akoshile, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, NatureNews and former Managing Director/Editor- in-Chief of the Daily Times.

48 www.mediacareerng.org You must be disciplined - Yishau What is your advice for journalists who want to write books and earn additional income? Writing a book requires discipline. Journalists are always talking about time and claiming they do not have time. But, if you want to author a book and I am not talking about compiling articles written over a period of years, you just have to create the time. Without this, you can't write a book. You must be discipline to decide what time you would be able to write. It could be early morning before going for assignments or to your beat; it could be at night after getting home, or it could be weekend. As a matter of fact, it could even be during your free period in the office. Anytime I am working on a new project, I write early in the morning. When I am set for the office, I will either copy it on a memory stick or send to my e-mail and when I have a free few minutes, I write and when I need to attend to my official duty, I save what I have done. Abroad, journalists are given leave of absence by their employers to write books on issues relating to their areas of specialisation. I hope we will get there someday in Nigeria, but until then, you have to create the time. At the worst, you can write during your annual leave, which we all are entitled to. Olukorede S. Yishau is an award-winning journalist, novelist and short-story writer. His first novel, In the Name of Our Father, has been a subject of thesis by students in Nigerian universities. It was published by Parrésia Publishers Limited in 2018 and described by two-time Booker finalist Chigozie Obioma as a 'work of deceptive simplicity'. His collection of short stories 'Vaults of Secrets' is his sophomore. His poems were published in an anthology of poetry ACTIVISTS POETS. His essays and short stories have appeared in different publications. The Associate Editor of The Nation Newspaper

Learn the tools for data journalism – Olufemi What should the average Nigerian journalist do to enhance his or her data-reporting skills? First is to have the passion and be ready to put in the work. The work mainly is learning the tools, tricks that are used in data journalism. This extends to familiarising yourself with the computer applications and research methods used by data journalists and then going the last mile to practice them. It is advisable to start with a small task and gradually move to the big ones. I must emphasize that becoming a data journalist starts with learning the use of a spreadsheet usually called Microsoft Excel. I can say categorically that 80 per cent of the data journalism done in Nigeria and almost globally can be achieved with spreadsheet (MS Excel). This application can do data collection, cleaning (even though this depends on how dirty the data is), analysis and visualization. When you have a perfect handle on Excel, you can then begin to advance to learning databases e.g. SQL as well as advanced data analysis tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, Flourish, R programming, JavaScript and Python. Also, Dataphyte is offering training and technical support to anyone who is interested in becoming a data journalist or who is a practising data journalist. First, we go the extra mile to provide data to any journalists who need them for storytelling. Second, we connect them to funding opportunities for fieldwork when that is required. We recently provisioned story grants to six journalists interested in using procurement and treasury data for investigating COVID-19 spending. This is in partnership with the Public and Private Development Centre which is actually the organisation giving the grants while we provided data and training support. Third, we provide editorial mentorship to help journalists realise their data reports. Also, we offer our data journalism platform, dataphyte.com, to any journalist to showcase their data journalism story. We are launching our data journalism bootcamps soon and we will be starting with student journalists across tertiary institutions in the country. Joshua Olufemi, founder of Dataphyte and former Director of Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) is a media management executive with experience in investigative journalism, open data advocacy, civic innovation, and media development in Nigeria.

49 www.mediacareerng.org Dene your purpose, be intentional - Mussa What major steps have you taken to enhance your capacity on the job to be able to switch to different aspects of media work? Defining my purpose and being intentional about what I want to achieve as a journalist set the foundation for me. I always evaluate my career development plans and set goals in line with my purpose of being a journalist. These evaluations help me see where there are gaps, where I need further training or coaching etc. and I take the necessary steps to improve. She started off as a radio journalist thirteen years ago. By dint of intentional career development planning and mastery of relevant skills, Comfort (Commy) Mussa has become multiple award- winning multimedia journalist through her work with local and international media organisations in Cameroon.

Study emerging trends and prepare for them - Alade How can journalists better maximise online opportunities? The opportunities are limitless and we need to embrace them. But understanding purpose is key and willingness to adapt to changes. There are many opportunities but how prepared/relevant are you? I will always advise journalists to study emerging trends and prepare themselves for them. International organisations and publications are releasing reports relevant to the digital world, check how to domesticate them where you are. Create a niche or get an area you are interested in and become the boss but today, I see everybody running after general news; sadly, they ended up as 'copy and paste' journalists. Alade Abiodun was former Online Editor of Daily Trust Newspaper.

Get the right person to recommend you - Adebayo Nieman Fellowship application is very rigorous. What was your experience with the application process and advice for future applicants? I began filling my application two months before I submitted and took my time to phrase and reflect on what I wanted to spend my time at Harvard on. I also looked out for journalists that I knew would have the time to talk about my strengths and why I am the right person to benefit from the fellowship. It's crucial to put in those who know you professionally and have worked with you before and not be carried away trying to get recommendations from editors who don't know you well enough to say something significant about your skills. I'll say know the topic you want to pursue, it should be something you have prior experience covering or reporting. It should be an area you have knowledge and information about because that will inform how well you will defend it during the interview. I know we sometimes leave applications to the last minute, but for a Nieman Fellowship, start your application early, and keep tweaking your study plan till you're happy enough to submit it. Senior Producer for Cable News Network (CNN) Africa, Bukola Adebayo, who was selected for the 2020-21 class of Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University

50 www.mediacareerng.org Take advantage of the Internet - Opara-Fatoye What professional steps did you take to get to your present career position? To be honest, it is a very long journey. I got a glimpse of how my career should go when I was attached to The Guardian Newspaper in Lagos during my 300-level industrial training- I just knew this was what I wanted. So, during my youth service in Jigawa state, I got a taste of working in the broadcast media- radio – I really loved but still decided to do print and after school, I got my first job as a fresh graduate with Leadership Newspapers in Abuja. It was a tough journey, what I was experiencing especially as it had to do with career development and finance did not match my progress book, so I had to re-strategize. I took advantage of the internet- Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook to seek for new ways I could improve my career and opportunities that will help me. I dedicated my time every day to do this. Then, grace and luck found me because I was persistent and did not give up. I got my first break in 2013, when I was invited by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, FARA, to report on the proceedings of the 6th Africa Agricultural Science Week conference in Accra, Ghana. I also won a grant to undertake an investigative story on traditional medicine from the Africa Academy of Sciences and in 2014. I won the International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC) -Research Africa Science Journalism Award. I have interned with Research Africa in Cape Town, South Africa and also worked with Research London covering science and higher education news. In this time, I undertook a research project that examines Nigeria's research funding landscape and how funding announcements are communicated to researchers in the country in comparison to Tanzania. I visited Tanzania and had the first-hand opportunity to meet scientists and journalists and then I proceeded to join the South African Research and Innovation Management Association to participate in the Science Communication postdoctoral breakaway workshop in Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies, STIAS, in Stellenbosch University, South Africa. This birthed my advocacy programs on Science Communication in Africa and I have been invited by universities and institutions in Nigeria like the Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation, CERHI, a World Bank-supported program at the University of Benin, Nigeria, the almighty Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities – this was one speaking engagement that was so dear to me, because I had the privileged opportunity to speak to all the vice- chancellors of Nigerian universities that attended the conference at Kwara State University, Illorin. I was glad that I was able to create a niche and opportunity for myself with sheer hard work, discipline and persistence. I did not stop, I kept on looking for an opportunity to grow my career when the position of the regional deputy editor for SciDev.Net came up, I delved into it and here I am Jackie Opara-Fatoye is the Regional Deputy Editor – Sub-Saharan Africa [English] of SciDev.Net reputed to be the world's leading free source of news, views and analysis about science and technology in the developing world.

51 www.mediacareerng.org Constantly update your knowledge - Otusanya Based on your experience so far, what is your advice for aspiring broadcast journalists? Zeal is paramount in one's quest to become a Broadcast Journalist, money shouldn't top the list. It's been known from time immemorial that Journalism is not about money. Be sure you have the interest before venturing into it. As an individual progresses on the job, know what is expected and required of you. Never assume you know it all. Ask questions, from anybody and everybody. A Newscaster, for example, has to be in sync with happenings around, verify stories received from reporters; Errors are not avoidable. Make the internet your friend. And when in doubt, leave out. A program anchor should never be eager to break stories on air without proper findings and verification. Ask about name pronunciations: Persons (François Hollande, for example, I have colleagues who got under fire for this). Countries and Cities (Sao Tome and Principle), the list is endless. Seek knowledge in your field, always. Where affordable and available, get professional trainings, otherwise, read, read, read. Know the world evolving around you. Self-development. For a Newscaster, who is required to translate from English a grasp of both languages cannot be overemphasised. It is so easy to eer when you do not understand what you're translating. And some errors on-air are unpardonable. Understand and observe the rules guiding the two languages involved in your translation. Again, ask questions. Do not set out to compete or be like anyone, don't imitate your 'idol'. Be you. You will stand out. Abimbola Otusanya is of FAAJI 106.5FM, Lagos

Will power is important - Montu What is your advice for journalists from coastal areas about taking up the challenge of covering the coasts in their countries? In this type of challenging journalism, one's willpower is the most important. Must have self- confidence. After mentally preparing, he will have to make other preparations. Coastal journalism must have the strength to work hard. Must have 16-18 hours of the continuous workforce. Must have the courage to stay and travel in disaster-prone areas. Must be in close contact with people. He must understand the geography of the coast. The entire coast should be searched round the clock. You have to think about the issues of report writing. Must be kept with the necessary materials. What skills and knowledge are required? Any journalist who has no prior skills can work on coastal issues. But he has to study. It is necessary to have a clear idea about the geographical position of the coast. Coastal people need to know about occupations and livelihoods. It is important to keep in mind which times of the year there are more crises in the coastal areas. It is necessary to have an idea about the laws, policies, etc. of the government regarding the coast. We have to keep an eye on government development activities in the coastal areas. Rafiqul Islam Montu, Coastal Journalism Specialist from Bangladesh is an accomplished awardwinning journalist.

52 www.mediacareerng.org Media NGOs/Institutions Database

Wole Soyinka Centre for International Press Centre Investigative Reporting Executive Director Executive Director Motunrayo Alaka Lanre Arogundade 18A, Abiodun Sobajo Street, House 11, Dideolu Court, Dideolu off Lateef Jakande Road, Estate 2nd Gate Bus Stop, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Ijaiye Road, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria. 09082515179 0816 220 6470 www.wscij.org. www.ipcng.org [email protected]. [email protected] @WSoyinkaCentre @IPCng

International Centre for Media Rights Agenda Investigative Reporting Executive Director Executive Director Edetaen Ojo Dayo Aiyetan 31/33, Ladipo Kasumu Street, 22 Koforidua Street, Off Adeleke Street, Off Allen Avenue, Wuse Zone 2. Abuja Ikeja, Lagos +234 1 4936033 & 4936034 +234-8033034675 www.mediarightsagenda.org www.icirnigeria.org. [email protected] [email protected]. @MRA_Nigeria @TheICIR

53 www.mediacareerng.org Premium Times Centre for Development Communications Investigative Reporting Executive Director Programme Director Dapo Olorunyomi Akin Jimoh. 53, Mambolo Street, Zone 2, 26 Adebola Street, Off Adeniran Wuse, Abuja. Ogunsanya, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria.

0810 419 8112 +234-1-8196309, +234-803-3053713 www.ptcij.org www.devcomsnetwork.org [email protected] [email protected] @ptcij @DevComs

Cable Newspapers Journalism Foundation Daily Trust Foundation Executive Director Programmes Director Simon Kolawole Theophilus Abbah LAGOS: 5b Iyalla Street, Alausa, Ikeja ABUJA: Suite 303, Zeto Court, No. 20 P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent, 3 Osogbo Close Off Emeka Anyaoku Off Solomon Lar way, Behind Street, Area 11 Garki, CHIDA Hotel Utako District, Abuja +234 811 397 5332 0803 389 5294 www.thecable.ng www.dailytrustfoundation.org [email protected] [email protected] @CableFoundation @Daily_TrustF

Journalism & Development ActionAID Nigeria Seminars Initiative Communications Coordinator Executive Director Lola Ayanda Angela Agoawike Plot 477, 41 Crescent, off Sa'adu Suite B9, B9, Alphacell Plaza, Zungur Avenue, Gwarinpa Abuja. Plot 12, Ebitu Ukiwe Street , Jabi,.Abuja. 0812 8888 2527 +2348096502062 www.actionaid.org www.jadeseminars.org.ng [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] @ActionAidNG @jadeseminarsngr

54 www.mediacareerng.org Africa Check Civic Media Lab Nigeria Editor Executive Director David Ajikobi Akinfolarin Oluwaseun Plot 8, Providence Street, Lekki Phase One, Lagos, Nigeria 13a, Isaac John, GRA, Ikeja 09083777789 09093302343 www.africacheck.org www.civichub.com.ng [email protected] [email protected] @africacheck_NG @civicmedialab

Ripples Centre for Data and Human Rights Journalism Network Investigative Journalism Founder/ED/Coordinator Executive Director Kehinde Adegboyega Samuel Ibemere 103, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria Lagos, Nigeria. 08061140996 +2348090394527, +2347037351967 www.rcdij.org humanrightsjournalistsnetwork @gmail.com [email protected] @rcdij @HRJN10

Journalists International Forum Dataphyte For Migration ( JIFORM ) Founder President Joshua Olufemi Ajibola Abayomi

F-wing bassan plaza Central Business 9, Iyalla Street, Alausa, Ikeja, District Area, Abuja, Nigeria Lagos State, Nigeria. 08116665321 +234(0)8111811225, www.dataphyte.com +234(0)8036458653 www.jiform.org [email protected] [email protected], [email protected] @Dataphyte @jiform

55 www.mediacareerng.org PAGED Initiatives, Abuja Journalists Against AIDS Executive Director Executive Director Ummi Bukar Olayide Akanni 1 Moundou street off Parakou Cresent Wuse 2 Abuja 14 Fadare street Ogba, Lagos Nigeria.

08118656000, 07015104354 0902 696 9713 www.pagedinitiative.org www.nigeria-aids.org [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] @pagedinitiative @jaaidsngr

Media Career Development Network LightRays Executive Director CEO/Founder Lekan Otufodunrin Ejiro Umukoro 14 Fadare Street, (End of Kayode Street) Besides Normal Children's School, Franklin Atake, Warri and Asaba. off Ijaye Road, Ogba Lagos +2348023000621, +234 803 592 6901 +2348050498530 www.lightraymedia.org www.mediacareerng.org [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] @LightrayM @mediacareerngr

Institute for Media and Society i-79 Media Consults Executive Director Akin Akingbulu 08188902246 3a Emina Crescent, Off Toyin Street, www.i79media.com Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa. 08033079828 [email protected], [email protected] www.imesoimeso.org @i79media [email protected], [email protected] @imesoimeso

56 www.mediacareerng.org Illuminate Nigeria Development Network Tech Mirror Magazine Executive Team Lead Editor Funke-Treasure Durodola Olanrewaju Oyedeji 9, Dele Adedayo Street, Ramat 111, Gidado Idris Way Wuye, Abuja Crescent, Ogudu GRA. Ojota. Lagos +234-8164847752, 08147937878 +234-9055552048 www.mysanitarypad.com www.techmirrormag.com.ng [email protected] [email protected] @realtechmirror

The Journalism Clinic African Women in Media

Founder Founder Taiwo Obe Dr Yemisi Akinbobola Virtual www.africanwomeninmedia.com +2348023130829 [email protected] [email protected] www.thejournalismclinic.com [email protected] [email protected] @RealAWiM @Clinic4Journos

African Foundation for Young Media Professionals Medrive Director of Communications and Project Founder/Creative Director Leadmode Resource Centre Wemimo Adewuni Yinka Olaito 33 Queen Street off Herbert Macaulay Road. Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos 08067892787 +2347061194389 www.medrive.org +2348093160591 www.afymp.org [email protected], [email protected] [email protected] @medriveng

57 www.mediacareerng.org HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR MEDIA CAREER IN 2021 Career Development specialist, Lekan Otufodunrin highlights lessons from the career accomplishments of a female journalist in 2020 and suggests what journalists should do in 2021. n case you missed it, below many ways than we envisaged, it's determined to overcome her is what Elfredah Kelvin, a i n c r e d i b l e t h a t E l f r e d a h limitations. She refused to be journalist based in Port accomplished so much in her discouraged by the lack of Harcourt, River State career. commensurate pay for her work shared online on December Rather than giving up on 2020 and and hustles. She refused to see 31 titled “OVERVIEW OF leaving her career to chances, if any herself as a local reporter and dared INCREDIBLE 2020″ about ever comes, she must have been to seek opportunities where many, whatI she accomplished in 2020. more than ever be determined to with even better qualifications and *Over 11 grants from different succeed and maximize every experience, would not attempt. organizations (within &Outside opportunity she got. She maximized every opportunity Nigeria) I knew Elfredah who is a now a l i k e w h e n M e d i a C a r e e r “Multiple fully funded events Reporter @GazetteNGR since her Development Network offered (online&Offline) * 4-Fellowship ( fellowship year in the Wole token data support (N1-5,000) for within&Outside Nigeria) Soyinka Centre for Investigative journalists to participate in *While enjoying Freelancing; Got Journalism Female Leadership webinars. 3 full-time job offers. Rejected two. Reporters programme. She was very appreciative of the Very proud of the job I accepted. She was hungry to learn. She was offer, participated in a webinar and * Eight months deal in wrote a very insighul Dakar, Senegal on report which was the issues concerning condion for geng the Niger Delta region. You will also need to widen your support. * Invited and got paid horizon and networks. The circle I can imagine the as a facilitator for a 2- within which you operate and your sacrifices she must day program. “ h a v e m a d e a s a IT WASN'T EASY. mentality is crucial to how much married woman and GOD'S GRACE WAS progress you can make in the mother to meet the J U S T T O O profession. Be inquisitive, seek d e m a n d s o f t h e SUFFICIENT. relevant information and belong various assignments In the year 2020 when to networks that can advance she has to do in her Coronavirus disrupted workplace and other our lives and work in your career online and offline. programmes she has 58 www.mediacareerng.org participated in. Be honest about your limitations, technology to improve your output. If she had listened to discouraging including relevant skills and Audit your areas of coverage and be comments of some colleagues who qualifications you don't have and sure you are not covering only a must have thought she was plan how to acquire them. If your part of what you should be unnecessarily ambitious, she progress will depend on the skills reporting or writing about. Find wouldn't have come anyway near and qualifications, stop wishing new experts to quote and let your how far she has come from being a about getting them, get them now. audience get a sense of new local reporter to being a journalist Apart from enrolling for regular perspectives in your content. reckoned with nationally and courses, there are free online One last point, ensure maximum globally. courses and training you can visibility for your work and Despite the challenges in our participate in. accomplishments. Don't be too i n d u s t r y, t h e r e a r e m a n y There are numerous free online modest to deny yourself necessary opportunities waiting for those who resources for anyone hungry for acknowledgement for what you don't easily give up. What is knowledge. deserved to be known and rewarded important is to strategically try hard You will also need to widen your for. Work on your online presence and smart enough and be satisfied horizon and networks. The circle and be searchable for your you have done your best even if you within which you operate and your expertise. don't get what you want. mentality is crucial to how much What happens if the situation in the In 2021, let it not be that you believe progress you can make in the media don't getter and there are that you can't make better career profession. Be inquisitive, seek fewer opportunities? That should progress beyond the level you are relevant information and belong to be the least of your problem. now. Don't get too worried about networks that can advance your Always remember that when the the second wave of COVID-19 and career online and offline. going gets tough, only the tough be expecting the worst in your In whatever you do, be innovative gets going. career. and think about new and better If Elfredah succumbed to the Among other steps, you must take, ways of doing your assignments Coronavirus fears, she would have redefine your career goals in the and projects. Keep tab of global written about HORRIBLE 2020 light of the rapidly changing media best practices and don't be and not INCREDIBLE 2020 landscape and have a work plan on contented with how things have how to achieve your aspirations. always been done. Use new

Participants at the training for campus journalists by the Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation

59 www.mediacareerng.org ABOUT US MEDIA CAREER DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

Dr Oloruntola Sunday Mrs Ugonma Cokey Alhaji Yusuf Alli Mrs Sekinah Lawal edia Career Development Communication, University of Lagos, journalists in a diverse field of Network (MCDN) is a Alhaji Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, journalism practice. Mregistered not-for-profit and Northern Operations, The Nation T h r o u g h o u r w e b s i t e , non-political organization with the Newspapers, www.mediacareerng.org we provide following aims and objectives: Mrs Ugonma Cokey, (Treasurer) daily updated media industry reports, To promote excellence in media Deputy Director, Voice of Nigeria, including news, jobs, training, practice in Nigeria M r s S e k i n a h L a w a l , F o r m e r interviews, views and more which To organise media training and provide Chairperson, Lagos Chapter of the attracts readership globally and quoted mentoring support for journalists and National Association of Women by top organisations and professionals. media professionals. Journalists (NAWOJ) We collaborate with other local and To produce resource materials to Lekan Otufodunrin, Columnist and i n t e r n a t i o n a l m e d i a N o n - enhance media career development. former Managing Editor, The Nation Governmental Organisations for the To engage in advocacy for freedom of Newspapers (Executive Secretary) implementation of their programmes the press in Nigeria. Initially registered as Media Career and the overall development of the To provide a forum for the exchange of Service since 2003, we have been media industry. ideas, share experience, find mutual devoted to promoting excellence in Organisations we have collaborated support and guidance for media media practice and providing with over the years to meet the professionals. resources to meet the challenges of increasing career demands of To protect the interest & welfare of media career through regular training, journalists, include International Press journalists and media professionals mentoring and coaching for all Centre, Lagos, the Lagos Council of Our management team led by the categories of journalists and other the Nigeria Union of Journalists founder and Executive Secretary, media professionals in Nigeria and (NUJ), Nigeria Guild of Editors, Lekan Otufodunrin, a media career elsewhere. International Centre for Investigative specialist and journalist are made up of Acknowledged as Nigeria's foremost Reporting (ICIR), Wole Soyinka experienced journalists with local and m e d i a c a r e e r d e v e l o p m e n t Centre for Investigative Reporting, P r e m i u m T i m e s C e n t r e f o r international network to meet the organization, we organize seminars, Investigative Reporting, Journalists career development needs of workshops, conferences and awards Against AIDS (JAAIDS), Nigeria, journalists and media professionals. aimed at enhancing the skills of Posterity Media, The Omololu Falobi Our Board of Trustees members made journalists. Foundation, Media Concern for up accomplished media professionals We provide mentoring and coaching Women and Children (MEDIACOM), and academics are: support for journalists to accomplish Writers Training Institute and the their career goals and aspirations. Dr Oloruntola Sunday, (Chairman) Development Alliance, amongst We identify and help facilitate A s s o c i a t e P r o f e s s o r o f M a s s others. Fellowship opportunities for interested 60 www.mediacareerng.org