The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has been commended for its commitment to enhancing the skills of journalists and providing needed resources for career growth.
The Executive Director of Media Career Development Network (MCDN) Mr Lekan Otufodunrin gave the commendation while presenting the Distinguished Gender Media Equity award to the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the WSCIJ, Mrs Motunrayo Alaka.
Otufodunrin said WSCIJ has implemented various media projects and programmes that have met the capacity development needs of the industry.
He noted that many participants in notably the Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) have been excelling in their various media endeavours, adding that more women journalists are now occupying top positions in their organisations.
According to him, the award presented to Alaka is in recognition of her outstanding contributions to capacity development for female journalists in Nigeria and globally and her advocacy for gender equity in the media.
He called for increased efforts in training media managers and mass communication lecturers in tertiary institutions for better synergy maximizing training for the industry.
Otufodunrin, the former Managing Editor of Online and Special Publications at The Nation Newspaper emphasised the need for media-focused NGOs to create awareness of the training opportunities they offer to ensure more journalists know about them.
Accepting the award, Alaka expressed her gratitude to MCDN for the recognition and pledged to explore innovative ways to accommodate more journalists in various training programmes.
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She highlighted the importance of media training as a shared responsibility, calling on experienced journalists to contribute to developing upcoming professionals through mentorship within their organisations.
Alaka cautioned against inclusivity campaigns becoming exclusive and emphasised the need for more constructive conversations that involve men in discussions about equity for women. She noted that open dialogues are crucial steps toward achieving gender equality in newsrooms and leadership positions.
Deputy Director of Training at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and one of the Board of Trustees members MCDN, Mrs. Ugomma Cookey, lauded WSCIJ’s impact on the media and society through commissioned investigative stories, collaborations, media awards, and amplification of marginalised voices. She noted that more journalists are eager to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the WSCIJ programmes.
Otufodunrin presented signed copies of his latest book; ‘Dateline Cardiff: Unforgettable media training experience and Impact’ and the Nigerian Media Capacity Development Report 2022, supported by WSCIJ.
