Cable Foundation trains campus journalists on investigative reporting

Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation (CNJF) has organised a training for campus journalists on investigative reporting.

The workshop, which took place in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday, had students from seven higher institutions across the north-central part of Nigeria.

The institutions are: Kwara State University, Malete; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; Federal University of Technology, Minna; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; Federal Polytechnic, Bida, and Benue State University.

The training was implemented under the Campus Civic Media Campaign (CCMC) of the CNJF, with support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

The participants are Agbaje Ayomide, Adetayo Opeyemi Emmanuel, Ibraheem Abdullateef, Toyeeb Abdulquadri, Quayyim Adedimeji, Soaga Oluwafunmilayo, and Hamidat Mohammed Raji.

Others are Mariam Adetona, Baliqees Yetunde Salaudeen, Sylvia Okedi, Martins Ayotunde, Abdusshakur Abdurrahman, Umar Yunusa, Afolabi Bamidele Joseph, Awo Jairus, and Johnstone Kpilaakaa.

Joke Kujenya, CNJF programmes officer, explained that the training is designed to teach and mentor talents in journalism from Nigerian universities to preserve and strengthen the noble profession.

On the first day, while delivering a session on basics of news writing and investigative journalism, Ajibola Amzat, editor and investigative journalist at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (TheICIR), advised students to be wary of taking information at face value while working on news stories.

He also warned young writers to avoid plagiarism and other copyright issues, adding that it is unethical and unacceptable in the profession.

Ruth Olurounbi, a writer at Bloomberg, took the session on data reporting and fact-checking.

She emphasised the use of data for investigative stories, noting that it aids credibility and understanding.  She, however, cautioned young journalists to avoid mining and sharing false information as they are detrimental to the growth of national and social development.

The final day of the training featured Kunle Adebajo, investigative journalist and editor at HumAngle, who spoke on identifying sources and developing story ideas as a journalist.

Kunle taught participants on curiosity, passion, and bravery. He also encouraged them to maximise the benefits of social media and other media platforms on giving leads to many untold stories.

Chinedu Asadu, senior staff writer at TheCable, while taking the session on pitching to news platforms on investigative stories, urged the young journalists to submit stories for grants and brave all the odds to get them done.

Johnstone Kpilaakaa, a participant from the University of Jos, said the training helped him to gain in-depth understanding of what it takes to practise journalism and how to use it to ensure accountability.

“Every class was awesome. The fact-checking class, in particular, opened me up to the need to provide authentic data to avoid misinformation which will likely escalate into diverse challenges,” he said.

Also, Hamidat Mohammed-Raji of the University of Ilorin said the training would unleash her potentials as the workshop has equipped her with knowledge of pitching in journalism and other aspects of the profession.

Simon Kolawole, executive director of CNJF, represented by Fredrick Nwabufor, deputy editor of TheCable, encouraged the campus journalists to make maximum use of the knowledge gained and exhibit it in their communities to make a difference in the country.

“Thank you for attending, for being good participants. Put into practice what you’ve acquired. The more you write, the better you become. On behalf of the executive director, I wish you all success in your careers,” he said.