The Penlight Center for New Media Innovation, an NGO arm of DAILY NIGERIAN online newspaper, is set to train reporters at the grassroots level in investigative journalism skills.
Dubbed the Grassroots Investigative Journalism Project, GIRP, the training will be held in Gombe, Niger, and Kano states respectively.
In a statement by the Project Manager Penlight Center, Mohammed Dahiru, the initiative is targeted at equipping the reporters with skills and resources to cast a spotlight on activities at the sub-national level.
“This is in order to enable system strengthening in the country by holding both public and private sectors to account at the grassroots
“We will also train participants on development journalism in order to equip them to highlight issues that affect the marginalised and vulnerable communities thereby contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 13 (Climate Action) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals),” Mr Dahiru said.
Mr Dahiru revealed that the selection of participants, which comes with benefits, will follow set criteria, noting that passion, dedication, and commitment on the part of applicants will be prioritized.
On his part, the Editor in Chief DAILY NIGERIAN Jaafar Jaafar expressed optimism that the prospect of the GIRP is huge and the impact is far-reaching.
“This will provide a fundamental basis for a new network of grassroots journalists who are interesting in investigating and reporting issues that happen at the sub-national levels and this means a lot for accountability, democracy, growth, and development,” Mr Jaafar said.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply via the following link https://tinyurl.com/3796y2mz from 2nd April 2022.
The Penlight Center/DAILY NIGERIAN is supported by Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism, WSIJ, and MacArthur Foundation.
