Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
A 2-day investigative journalism training on ‘Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge’ (SPARK 2) project has ended with a call for journalists to embrace evidence-based reporting to enthrone accountability in the country.
The training which focused on Health and Agricultural interventions was organised by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) in partnership with International Budget Partnership (IBP) for 20 journalists drawn from five states across the country.
Addressing the participants, ICIR Executive Director, Dayo Aiyetan, urged media practitioners to embrace data and evidence for credible and balanced reportage.
The ICIR boss who described the participants as seasoned professionals, urged them to feel free to contribute and share their thoughts during the programme.
“I thank the IBP for its consistent support in our projects, including SPARK 1 & 2.I equally thank those of us who were part of SPARK 1 project for the incredible work you did. We’re very proud of you.
“For those who performed abysmally, I challenge you to see this opportunity as a second chance to write your wrongs by going beyond mere reporting.
“We’re expecting a whole lot from you. Please attach serious importance to what we’re doing so as to justify your inclusion and the resources expended in the project,” he added.
The IBP Country Director, Dr Olayinka Babalola, described journalists as conscience of the nation whose reports could engender change in the society.
On her part, Programme Coordinator, Small-scale Women Farmers’ Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Ogechi Okebugwu, decried growing neglect of women farmers across the country, enjoining journalists to lend support to their plights.
Earlier, Programme Officer, ICIR, Ayisat Abiona, explained that the programme was targeted at building participants’ capacity on investigative and impactful reporting capable of holding government officials accountable.
Other resource persons during the training were Seun Durojaiye, Hassan Taiwo and Olayinka Fatunbi who handled “Solution Journalism,” “Writing for Impact,” and “Using your mobile phone for Docus,” respectively.
Ikengaonline reports that the participants were also trained on photo and video shooting, gender-based reporting, among many others.
