WikkiTimes set to launch investigation journalism training scheme for graduates
WikkiTimes, an investigative and data journalism platform is set to launch the Umaru Pate Accountability Reporting Fellowship, named after Professor Umaru Pate, the current Vice Chancellor, Federal University Kashere.
WikkiTimes’ publisher, Haruna Mohammed Salisu, said the fellowship will offer six months paid-internship to young graduates in investigative, data and fact-checking journalism.
He said the fellowship is in recognition of Professor Pate’s outstanding contributions to the field of journalism and will be launched on 4th January 2023 to mark the professor’s 59th birthdate.
Pate is a well-credentialled scholar, and academician of international repute, he is the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of communication, at Bayero University Kano (BUK).
As a professor of media and society and an advocate of investigative journalism, Pate has won several international grants for the Faculty of Communications at BUK.
Pate’s contribution includes the modification of the Nigerian journalism curriculum to address emerging trends in the industry.
Speaking further about the fellowship, WikkiTimes’ publisher, Haruna Mohammed Salisu said “Umaru Pate is one of Nigeria’s finest media scholars who has mentored and selflessly supported hundreds of journalists in Nigeria and beyond.
“He has tutored media scholars and has been at the forefront in advancing the frontiers of media scholarship. Inspired by his continuous service to humanity, we are kick-starting a graduate fellowship programme where we intend to train graduates who have demonstrated interest in accountability journalism.
“For us at WikkiTimes, there is no better way to celebrate Professor Pate than to launch this kind of programme, because we believe that doing so will advance the principles and values Professor Pate stood for years,” Haruna said.
The publisher added that in the first year of the fellowship, WikkiTimes will recruit six graduates who have completed the compulsory one-year national service and will be mentored by experienced data journalists and fact-checkers for six months.
“The idea is to help the fellows access the best mentoring opportunities to enable them to hold power to account — in line with the creeds for which Professor Pate stands throughout his career,” he said.
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