WikkiTimes Invites Applications for Umaru Pate Accountability Reporting Fellowship

0
173
Haruna Mohammed Salisu
Publisher of WikkiTimes

WikkiTimes, a Bauchi-based online medium focused on investigative and data-driven journalism, is inviting applications for the maiden edition of its Umaru Pate Accountability Reporting Fellowship (UPARF) programme.

The fellowship targets fresh Mass Communication/Journalism-related graduates and early career journalists from North East and North West, Nigeria with a special interest in investigative reporting, data journalism and fact-checking.

The Fellowship is named after Professor Umaru Pate, the current Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of journalism. A well-credentialled scholar, and academic of international repute, Prof. Pate is the pioneer Dean, of the Faculty of Communication, at Bayero University Kano. 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. His contribution includes the modification of the Nigerian Journalism curriculum to address emerging trends in the industry.

Commenting on 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 of advancing the frontiers of media scholarship.

“Inspired by his continuous service to humanity, we are kickstarting a graduate fellowship programme where we intend to train graduates who have a demonstrable interest in accountability journalism. For us at WikkiTimes, there is no better way to celebrate Professor Pate than to launch this kind of program; because we believe that doing so will advance the very principles and values Professor Pate stood for, for years.”

The UPARF is a 3-month paid internship programme designed to build the capacity of young reporters in accountability journalism through investigative, data-driven and fact-checking reporting that holds powers to account particularly at subnational levels.

Three successful applicants will be selected for the fellowship and will undergo three months rigorous training and mentorship by experienced journalists to produce quality investigative and data-driven stories.

Ideal applicants must have completed their mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme or obtained a certificate of exemption. In addition, applicants must have mastery of the English language and must not be above 35 years old.

To apply, applicants should send at least two samples of their journalistic works. Female journalists are especially encouraged to apply.

Submission of the applications will close on January 20, 2023.

Fellows will receive first-hand training in accountability reporting (investigative, data-driven and fact-checking), mentorship by experienced journalists, three months’ stipends and transport allowance during the fellowship as well as building and expanding networks with successful investigative journalists.

Interested applicants who meet the above criteria should apply here. For more information about the fellowship, interested persons can contact the organisers at wikkitimes@gmail.com.