Fellowship
Chinedu Anolue
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives within the Niger Delta (PIND) and the School of Media and Communication (SMC), Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos have unveiled the PIND Media Fellows Programme for narrative change within the Niger Delta.
The PIND Executive Director, Mr Sam Daibo, informed newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, that the six-month fellowship was designed to strengthen improvement journalism and broaden reporting on the area.
According to him, the fellowship mixed specialised coaching, area publicity and mentorship to assist impartial, evidence-based improvement journalism
He mentioned that the inaugural cohort comprised six journalists, editors and media storytellers.
“They will receive specialised training, field exposure and editorial mentorship, alongside access to development evidence and communities across the Niger Delta.
”Fellows will independently produce tales analyzing options, innovation, enterprise, partnerships and measurable improvement outcomes within the area.
”The programme started with a five-day residential Impact Journalism Academy, holding from Nov. 2 to Nov. 6, at SMC in Lagos.
”As the primary stage of the fellowship, the academy will strengthen contributors’ abilities in improvement reporting.
“It will also help in solutions journalism, impact storytelling, ethical interviewing, multimedia production and evidence-based reporting.”
Daibo mentioned the programme responded to the restricted media consideration given to improvement options and progress throughout the Niger Delta.
“The Niger Delta’s challenges must be reported honestly, but they should not be its only story.
”Across the area, communities, companies and improvement companions are advancing options in peacebuilding, agriculture, youth employment, renewable power and financial inclusion.
“This fellowship will help journalists examine those efforts critically, independently and with the depth they deserve,” Daibo mentioned.
He emphasised that this system is designed to strengthen journalism—not prescribe beneficial protection.
“Our role is to give journalists greater access to evidence, communities and development practice while respecting their editorial independence.
“Credible development reporting must remain rigorous, balanced and accountable to the public,” he added.
According to him, following the Academy, fellows will take part in area immersion, develop reporting pitches and obtain editorial mentorship.
“The initiative marks a shift from one-off media engagement towards sustained investment in journalists and newsrooms.
“Through successive cohorts, PIND and SMC aim to build a network of media professionals capable of producing more balanced, evidence-driven and solutions-focused reporting on the Niger Delta.”
The Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, mentioned the partnership would equip fellows to maneuver past activity-based reporting.
According to him, it would additionally assist look at the substance and outcomes of improvement interventions.
“Development journalism requires more than reporting activities.
“Journalists must be able to interrogate evidence, understand systems, centre community voices and determine whether interventions are producing meaningful change.
“Our partnership with PIND combines these skills with practical reporting tools that fellows can apply in their newsrooms and field assignments,” Obiaya mentioned.(NAN)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
