Chima Azubuike
No fewer than 21 journalists across Nigeria and Ghana have been selected for UDEME, an initiative of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development.
Our correspondent reports that this is its inaugural Social Accountability six-month Fellowship programme.
Participants comprising journalists from online, print and electronic were involved in a two-day virtual workshop from 19 to 20 March 2024.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that CJID is a West African media innovation and development think tank founded in 2014 as a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria.
The centre has been a leader in investigative journalism, innovation, open data, verification, the promotion of journalist welfare and safety, elections and the freedom of information and expression.
UDEME is CJID’s social accountability project which aims to use technology and professional reporting to galvanise citizens to get involved in tracking and implementing various projects promised by the governments of Nigeria and Ghana.
Speaking, UDEME Project Manager, Ijeoma Okereke, 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.
She said, “This year’s focus will be on agriculture, health, education, and public infrastructure, emphasising gender inclusion.”
On his part, Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES and Chief Executive Officer of CJID, Dapo Olorunyomi, charged the fellows to uphold quality journalism based on truthfulness, accuracy, accountability and dedication to public purpose.
According to him, accountability journalism in a democracy is imperative for development, citing sections 22 and 162(5) of Nigeria and Ghana’s constitutions respectively.
Representative of Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning department of Plans and Projects Department Kenneth Kwujeli, elucidated on budget formulation and preparation process.
He disclosed that alot was required to tackle some budget challenges that are likely to encourage impunity and corruption.
On Agenda 2050: Roles of CSOs and media, Kwujeli said was formulated against backdrop of several challenges – fragile and low growth, non-inclusive growth and development, low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, limited diversification, social instability, high import dependent, high incidence of poverty, climate change, etc.
Kwujeli added, “NA 2050 is a Perspective Plan designed to transform Nigeria from the status of a developing country to the status of an upper-middle income country.
“The aspiration is have a stable democratic society, to promote peace, unity and justice.
“NA 2050 aimed to position Nigeria as an African regional power and global economic force. Hence by 2050, the Plan envisaged Nigeria to be a strong, dynamic, industrialised and knowledge based economy that is capable of generating inclusive and sustainable development for the up-liftment of all its citizens.
“NA 2050 envisages a GDP of US$11.7 trillion with an average annual GDP growth rate of 7 per cent and a per capita income of $33,328.02.”
CJID’s Director of Programmes; Akintunde Babatunde, who took fellows on Data for social accountability said, “You should treat data like any other journalistic source – you’ll need to ask it a number of questions or ‘interview’ it.”
Assistant Managing Editor at PREMIUM TIMES, Bisi Abidoye, took fellows through Investigative Reporting: Dos and Don’ts noted that for a report to be considered investigative it must uncover what was covered or unknown through the deliberate efforts of a reporter or reporters
“It uncovers what somebody, group of persons, or an entity does not want revealed or wants to be kept secret,” he added.
Dubawa’s Editor, Kemi Busari, during his presentation motivated fellows on the need to be diligent, sharing insights on the award winning investigative work on ‘Baba Aisha, Nigeria’s fake ‘doctor’ cashing out on deadly concoction that cures nothing’, which inspired everyone to give their best.
