The Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Okogbule, has commended the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Step-up for Women In Journalism Initiative (SWIJ), for their interest and roles in promoting women, media and communication in the society.
Professor Okogbule made the commendation in Port Harcourt when he received a delegation from SWIJ and management staff of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies before the one-day capacity training for student journalists in the university. There were also participants from the University of Port Harcourt and Ignatius Ajuru University.
SWIJ, with the support of WSCIJ under its Reportwomen project and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, organised the training tagged, “from Classroom to Newsroom” at which over 40 students from the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies were trained on techniques of investigative journalism, data and digital journalism, storytelling and pitching.
The vice chancellor commended SWIJ for its efforts in encouraging young female journalists, noting that it is very laudable in their careers.
According to him, the role of the media as stipulated in the Constitution as the Fourth Estate of the Realm is profound and key to the growth and development of any society.
While saying the institution is committed and interested in promoting excellence, the VC also expressed delight that women can now legally inherit properties owing to advocacy efforts.
“We are all created equal by God; nobody has a role to decide whether male or female should be this or that, it’s purely the prerogative of God. I am happy that women are making impact in various sectors,” Okogbule said, adding that society cannot function maximally without both the male and female.
Earlier, the Team lead of SWIJ, Ann Godwin, told the vice chancellor that the objective of the training was to harvest, mentor and build capacities of future female newsroom champions to equip them with the skills needed to function professionally and hopefully close the gender gap in media industry.
At the training, Dean of Faculty, Professor Richard Amadi, charged workshop participants to utilise training opportunity to improve their skills and carve a niche for themselves in journalism.
Represented by Dr Sarah Joe, a senior lecturer in the Faculty, Prof Amadi thanked SWIJ, WSCIJ and the Gates Foundation for the noble initiative and called for a sustained partnership with the faculty towards raising newsroom champions and leaders in the media space.
The Mass Media and Information Management Coordinator of Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Sunny Dada, facilitated the session on Data and Digital Journalism while Godwin spoke on techniques for investigative reporting, pitching and storytelling.
The students commended the training, saying it has a great mental shift towards their journey in Journalism.
A 200-level communication and media studies student, said, “through this training, I have been made to understand that the traditional method of journalism has passed, we are now in the era of fact-checking, Investigative, data and digital Journalism where some tools can be used to add value the reports we do.”
Another student, Andikan Prince, said the workshop was engaging and impactful one.
“We were inspired and mentored. The knowledge shared is indeed, paving the way for future of female journalists.”
The delegation to the Vice Chancellor’s office included the University Director of Research and Development, Professor Godwin Okon, lecturers in the Faculty, SWIJ stakeholders, Dr Ijeoma Tubosia, and Precious Akutamadu.