Dataphyte, a media research and data analytics organisation on June 5, 2024, launched its Innovation Hub and the Dapo Olorunyomi Theatre (DOT) in Abuja.
The state-of-the-art theatre named after Olorunyomi, renowned journalist and founder of Premium Times and Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) according to Dataphyte will be an arena for policy dialogue, hackathons, and literary presentations to sustain Olorunyomi’s legacy of innovation, next-generation leadership development and relentless pursuit of democratic principles.
The Innovation Hub aims to foster innovation, collaboration, and excellence in Data for Development and Media Innovation in Nigeria. It will also provide technology resources, training, and networking opportunities to emerging media entrepreneurs, social innovators, and development practitioners thereby catalysing social impact and sustainable development visions.
The naming of the theatre after Olorunyomi, the founder of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and founding editor of The News Magazine is well deserved considering his immense contributions to media development and promotion of democratic values and good governance in Nigeria and beyond.
It is an acknowledgement of the commendable leadership he has offered at crucial times in the history of the media and democratic struggle in the country. Undoubtedly, Olorunyomi has dedicated his career to holding government, institutions and individuals accountable at great cost and remains in the forefront of advocating for press freedom worldwide.
That Premium Times and CJID remain the foremost media innovation and development organisations is a testimony of the excellence Olorunyomi represent among media leaders in Nigeria.
Accomplished leaders like him don’t have to die to have centres named after them. It is thoughtful of Dataphyte to name the centre after him in his lifetime.
More than ever before, there is a need for more intense interrogation of policies at all levels to ensure that they are the kinds needed and well implemented for the good of all. Hackathons also offer opportunities for events where people come up with innovative ideas and collaborate to solve a problem or identify new opportunities.
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We are hopeful that the facilities at the theatre and innovation hub will encourage various groups to utilise them to achieve the purpose for which they are meant, including idea generation by journalists, media entrepreneurs, development practitioners and researchers interested in data for socio-economic development and corporate sector growth in Africa.
Take a bow Dapo Olorunyomi, popularly known as Dapsy. Kudos to the Dataphyte.
