LEADERSHIP Correspondent, 20 Others Selected For UDEME Fellowship 

21 journalists, including LEADERSHIP correspondent, Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, have been selected for the inaugural UDEME Social Accountability Fellowship, an initiative of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

The 21 Fellows selected from Nigeria and Ghana held their inaugural virtual workshop where they were charged to work hard to maintain the confidence reposed in them.

The UDEME Project Manager, Ijeoma Okereke-Adagba, said the 2024 Accountability Fellowship aims to build the capacity of journalists in Nigeria and Ghana to identify red flags in budget line items and unique patterns in contract awards that violate local procurement laws.

Chief Executive Officer of CJID and publisher of Premium Times, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, charged the Fellows to uphold quality journalism based on truthfulness, accuracy, accountability and dedication to public purpose.

He emphasised the purpose of accountability journalism in a democracy, citing Sections 22 and 162(5) of Nigeria and Ghana’s Constitutions, respectively.

Olorunyomi called on the Fellows to uphold the tenets of journalism, ask questions and hold office-holders to accountability.

The Fellows include two reporters with TVC News – Godwin Agwam and Chenemi Bamaiyi; two from the Guardian Newspapers, Gbenga Salau and Charles Akpeji; two from Premium Times, Bakare Majeed and Mariam Ileyemi; Marie-Therese Nanlong from Vanguard; Azubuike Chimaobi, The Punch, and Francis Ntow from Ghana News Agency.

Others are Ekemini Simon, The Mail; Kafilat Taiwo, Dataphyte; Manasseh Mbachii, Middlebelt Reporters;  Abdulwasiu Olokooba, Sahara Reporters; Abubakar Kankara, Daily Episode and Muhasa TV/Radio; Azeez Jaji, TheInformant247; Adediran Adeleke, New Telegraph; Okediran Adeyemi, BONews Service; Shafa’atu Suleiman, Daily Times; and Yahuza Bawage, Prime Progress.

CJID is a West African media innovation and development think-tank founded in 2014 as a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria.

The centre focuses on investigative journalism, innovation, open data, verification, the promotion of journalist welfare and safety, elections and the freedom of information and expression.