The Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), in which Mrs. Ann Godwin, the South-South Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspaper, participated in 2021, is supposed to have officially ended four years ago, but she continues to showcase the impact the training had on her till date.
Her leadership project during the prestigious fellowship which earned her the first prize has become a registered non-profit organisation known as Step-Up for Women in Journalism (SWIJ) based in Port-Harcourt with many female journalists across the South-South region of the country and beyond as members.
Since the fellowship, she has won other awards and recognition for excellent reporting and leadership. She emerged runner-up in the Print category of the 2024 Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Reporting award and got the Special Recognition Award by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) reputable award in 2024.
She is an alumnus of Thomson Reuters Foundation, British Council, and a fellow of African Data Hub (Orodata Science).
“I connected and plugged in with lessons learnt from the seasoned mentors during the training and founded the Step-Up for Women In Journalism Initiative (SWIJ), an organisation that promotes excellence among female journalists.
“Today, the team is made up of about 150 female media professionals, including young professionals, next generation journalists, practicing journalists, and academics are breaking barriers and redefining journalism practice.”
Some members of SWIJ according to Godwin now serve as resource persons and others have produced reports have “put the government on their toes to provide basic needs for the people” and won both national and international awards.
“SWIJ, a community of female army journalists, cuts across the country. With support from our mother-hen, WSCIJ and funds from the Bill Gates foundation, we have organised trainings on digital, data, investigative, pitching and solution journalism for students of Journalism in the faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University, respectively.
“Several opportunities have also been created for our team. Impressed by our work and impact, organisations seek our partnership to implement and facilitate programmes.
“Members have also received fellowship and grant opportunities through our network. Recommendation letters are also issued to our hardworking and committed members who plan to further their education abroad.”
Life after the FRLP fellowship according to Godwin has been very rewarding, though with greater tasks and responsibilities following the promotion from Correspondent level to oversee the South-South Bureau.
“During the fellowship, we were taught to connect as nobody grows alone. I must confess that connecting with the likes of Juliana Francis, a serial award-winning journalist , my mentor, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, and some other outstanding individuals have greatly shaped my career and added to my success stories.
“I want to encourage female journalists not to stay at the same level for long. When you see opportunities apply. If your application is successful, go with high intentionality to learn, grow and advance, don’t end it with the cozy environment.”
Godwin has also explored her investigative skills to tell stories that exposed corrupt officials, brought sanity to some institutions and attracted government attention. Her recent award-winning story on the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, compelled the Federal Government to complete four oxygen manifold plants that now supply oxygen directly to 100 beds and thus, closed the extortion, theft holes.
Her community based reporting has also brought to the front burner several under reported issues in the Niger Delta region, boldened the voiceless, marginalised and vulnerable groups, especially farmers to confront their challenges through the court and, some farmers have won their cases in some landmark judgments.
Godwin, in her reports, digs deep into how environmental pollution, poor waste management affect communities. Her reports also highlight effects of pollution on women and children while she adopts a solution journalism model as an intervention strategy.
Some of her gender based stories, training and mentoring women and girls in the region earned her an excellent award from the Advancing Women In Business (ADWIB).
Godwin, with her team, have also facilitated trainings for journalism students at the Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University respectively.
Her outstanding works also earned her one of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) reputable award in 2024, the Special Recognition Award.
The NUJ award which she bagged last year is given to journalists who consistently through their works, career, brought honour and pride to journalism profession in addition to contributing to greater good of the society.
Godwin’s works have been cited in PhD and Master’s thesis by scholars at LMU Munich University, Germany and Scotland respectively as it provided valuable perspectives to their academic research.
Her advice for journalists to maximise opportunities in the profession is to “create values and delist the arrival mentality, connect and learn even from young colleagues.”
“This will help you stay on top of the curve. Results will define you, but excellence and value will distinguish you,” she added.