Eight worldwide journalism opportunities to apply for in May

stellanwofiaupdates

Looking to expand your journalism toolkit, take on a new beat or receive recognition for your work? Check out these promising courses, fellowships and competitions with deadlines in May. Each is open to journalists worldwide.

Daniel Pearl Investigative Journalism Initiative fellowship Deadline: May 2, 2016

Journalists ages 22 to 38 around the globe can apply for Moment Magazine’s Daniel Pearl fellowship, which encourages the production of in-depth stories about deeply ingrained prejudices. In addition to US$5,000 in project funding, fellows also receive mentoring from established, prestigious journalists like Wolf Blitzer, Linda Feldmann, Martin Fletcher and more. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates
Thomson Reuters Foundation “Tomorrow’s News” newsroom training Deadline: May 2, 2016

The Thomson Reuters Foundation is offering “Tomorrow’s News,” a free, in-house newsroom training, to media outlets in developing countries or countries in political transition. The program includes workshops on strategizing and producing cross-platform content, as well as ongoing guidance and support and updates on the latest knowledge on media trends and convergence. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates
 University of Westminster graduate scholarships Deadline: May 3, 2016

Students and journalists wishing to advance their studies can apply for full and partial graduate scholarships from the University of Westminster. Full scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and flights to and from London. Prospective students can choose from a variety of programs, including the Media, Arts and Design Scholarship. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates
Casa Pública Residencies Program Deadline: May 12, 2016

Foreign reporters working at an independent media outlet outside Brazil can apply for a BRL7,000 (US$2,000) grant and accommodations in Rio de Janeiro to cover the 2016 Olympic Games. As part ofAgência Pública’s Casa Pública residency program, journalists will closely examine the human rights impact of the World Cup and Olympics in Brazil. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution fellowship Deadline May 13, 2016

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, Massachusetts is seeking writers, producers and editors for its marine science fellowship. Fellows will gain knowledge of oceanography and ocean engineering through seminars, laboratory visits and field expeditions. A travel allowance and room and board will be provided. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates
Fund for Investigative Journalism grants Deadline: May 16, 2016

The Fund for Investigative Journalism is offering grants to support investigative reporting projects around the world. The average award is US$5,000 and should be put toward project-related expenses.Recent grants have helped fund investigations on abusive labor brokers in Thailand, an American abroad who refused to be an FBI informant and the burning of trees as a renewable energy source in Canada. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates
CUNY business journalism fellowship Deadline: May 31, 2016

The McGraw Center for Business Journalism at the City University of New York's Graduate School of Journalism is offering fellowships to journalists worldwide with five or more years of experience. Fellows will receive grants of US$5,000 a month for one to three months to produce longform print or radio pieces. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates
Thomson Reuters Foundation Kurt Schork Awards Deadline: May 31, 2016

Each year, the Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism honor freelancers and local journalists in developing and transitioning countries whose work would otherwise go unrecognized. Stories can cover conflict, human rights, cross-border issues and similar hot-button issues. Each winner receives a US$5,000 prize at a ceremony in London. For more information, click stellanwofiaupdates
Main image CC-licensed by Flickr via sigmama.

Editors to FG: Save traditional media from collapse

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed concern that the media industry in the country is suffocating under the prevailing economic challenges facing various sectors.

In a communique at the end of its first quarterly Standing Committee meeting for 2016 held on March 18, 2016 in Abuja, the NGE said the present economic situation poses a threat to the survival of traditional media in particular and credible information dissemination.

It therefore urged the government to review policies that impede the operations of the media in order to sustain democracy and avoid job losses.

The Guild in the communique signed by its President, Garba Deen Mohammad and Assistant General Secretary, Mary Atolagbe, noted that the current economic challenges facing the country has made the need to diversify the economy more compelling.

The federal government was urged to quickly evolve very clear and productive policies on mining and make agriculture more attractive through the provision of soft loans and other incentives that would facilitate the development of the sector.

In the light of the rising cases of abductions and abuse of minors across the country, the NGE called for the adoption of very strong policies that would protect the rights of children, and in particular under-age girls.

“ The Guild expresses serious disappointment over the poor conduct of the last JAMB computer-based examinations. Describing it as a national embarrassment capable of truncating the destinies of future leaders, the Guild therefore, implores government to immediately halt the approval of centres that lack the capacity to ensure seamless conduct of such examinations.

“ Finally, the Guild also acknowledges the recent changes in the status of its leadership and unanimously agrees on a handover plan that will culminate in a change of baton at its next Standing Committee Meeting,” the communique stated.

Nigerian police detain publisher

Committee to Protect Journalists  News Alert

Abuja, Nigeria, March 10, 2016 - Nigerian authorities should immediately release magazine publisher Yomi Olomofe on bail, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police detained Olomofe early this evening in Lagos, after men he had accused of severely beating him in June 2015 alleged the publisher had assaulted and attempted to extort money from them, Olomofe and his lawyer told CPJ by telephone.

On June 25, 2015, Olomofe, who publishes the monthly community magazine Prime Magazine, and McDominic Nkpemenyie, a correspondent with the state-funded Tide Newspaper, were investigatingallegations that customs officers at Seme, on Nigeria's border with Benin, were complicit in smuggling, when more than 15 men attacked the two journalists, Olomofe told CPJ. The men hit Olomofe on his face and body with their fists and sticks until he lost consciousness, the publisher and witnesses told CPJ days later, after Olomofe regained consciousness.

In a June 30, 2015, complaint to the Lagos state police commissioner, and a July 1, 2015, complaint to the inspector general of police, Olomofe identified his attackers and customs officers who had not intervened to stop the attack. Police have not charged anyone for assaulting the journalists, Olomofe and his lawyer, Akin Osunsusi, told CPJ.

In an October 2015 complaint to the police, the men Olomofe had accused of beating him themselves alleged that he had assaulted them and had attempted to extort money from them, the publisher told CPJ. He denied the accusations, and he and his lawyer said the first they had heard of them was today, after his arrest. It was unclear whether the publisher was formally charged with a crime.

"Arresting magazine publisher Yomi Olomofe for beating the men he says beat him to a pulp is nothing short of obscene," Peter Nkanga, CPJ's West Africa representative, said. "Rather than blaming the messenger, police should energetically pursue those responsible for the crime."

A police officer at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), who gave his name only as Aminu, contacted by CPJ on March 8 in the course of follow-up research into the initial incident, said that he had repeatedly invited the customs officers for questioning about the June 2015 beating, but that they had not come, despite his having copied the head office of the customs service in Abuja. "Being service officers," he said, "I cannot just arrest them."

One of the customs officers who Olomofe said had not intervened to stop the 2015 attack told CPJ at the time that there was nothing he could do: The assailants were too "rowdy."

Police at the SCID today told CPJ that they had been instructed to pass Olomofe's file to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Alagbon, in Lagos state, where Olomofe is held. Dolapo Badmus, the Lagos State police spokeswoman told CPJ that police authorities in Abuja have jurisdiction over FCID and not the Lagos State Police Command. CPJ could not immediately reach the FCID spokesman for comment.

Deji Elumoye, the chairman of the Lagos state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, told CPJ that police in Alagbon had refused to grant Olomofe bail today, and that representatives of the union had not been allowed to see him in custody.

Olomofe and the Lagos state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in January 2016 filed a civil lawsuit against the attackers and the customs service seeking compensation for the attack, according to press reports.

###
CPJ is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.
 
Contact:
Kerry Paterson
Africa Research Associate
+1 212-300-9031
Email: kpaterson@cpj.org

Peter Nkanga
West Africa Representative
Email: pnkanga@cpj.org

MFWA TO HOLD WEST AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON MEDIA AND PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE

Court orders Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan govts to account for recovered loot

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in a landmark judgment, has held
that successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999 “breached
the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability for failing
to disclose details about the spending of recovered stolen public funds,
including on a dedicated website.”

The court then ordered the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to
“ensure that his government, and the governments of former President
Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and former
President Goodluck Jonathan account fully for all recovered loot.”

The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice M.B. Idris following a
Freedom of Information suit no:FHC/IKJ/CS/248/2011 brought by the
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The details ordered by the court to be disclosed include information on the
total amount of recovered stolen public assets by each government, the
amount of recovered stolen public assets spent by each government as well
as the objects of such spending and the projects on which such funds were
spent.

Justice Idris dismissed all the objections raised by the Federal Government
and upheld SERAP’s arguments. Consequently, the court entered judgment in
favour of SERAP against the Federal Government as follows:

1. *A DECLARATION *is hereby made that the failure and/or refusal of the
respondents to individually and/or collectively disclose detailed
information about the spending of recovered stolen public funds since the
return of civil rule in 1999, and to publish widely such information,
including on a dedicated website, amounts to a breach of the fundamental
principles of transparency and accountability and violates Articles 9, 21
and 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification
and Enforcement) Act

2. *A DECLARATION *is hereby made that by virtue of the provisions of
Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the 1st
Defendant/Respondent is under a binding legal obligation to provide the
Plaintiff/Applicant with up to date information on the spending of
recovered stolen funds, including:
(a) Detailed information on the total amount of recovered stolen public
assets that have so far been recovered by Nigeria
(b) The amount that has been spent from the recovered stolen public assets
and the objects of such spending
(c) Details of projects on which recovered stolen public assets were spent

3. *AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS* is made directing and or compelling the
Defendants/Respondents to provide the Plaintiff/Applicant with up to date
information on recovered stolen funds since the return of civilian rule in
1999, including:
(a) Detailed information on the total amount of recovered stolen public
assets that have so far been recovered by Nigeria
(b) The amount that has been spent from the recovered stolen public assets
and the objects of such spending
(c) Details of projects on which recovered stolen public assets were spent

SERAP deputy executive director, Olukayode Majekodunmi, said, “This
judgment confirms the persistent failure of successive governments,
starting from the Obasanjo government, to respect Nigerians’ right to a
corruption-free society and to uphold constitutional and international
commitments on transparency and accountability.
“The judgment is an important step towards reversing a culture of secrecy
and corruption that has meant that high-ranking government officials
continue to look after themselves at the expense of the well-being of
majority of Nigerians, and development of the country.

“This is a crucial precedent that vindicates the right to a transparent and
accountable government and affirms the human right of the Nigerian people
to live a life free from want and fear. We are in the process of obtaining
a certified copy of the around 60 pages judgment. SERAP will do everything
within its power to secure the full and effective enforcement of this
judgment.

The Federal Government had through its counsel, Sheba Olugbenga, filed a
Notice of Preliminary Objection dated March 26, 2012 on the grounds that
SERAP lacked the locus standi to institute the action, that the action was
statute barred, and that SERAP’s affidavit evidence offended the provisions
of the Evidence Act.
On May 8, 2012 the Federal Government filed additional written address in
support of its preliminary objection, arguing against the retroactive
nature of SERAP’s request; saying since the Freedom of Information Act was
enacted in 2011, citizens cannot be demanding disclosure of government
spending since 1999.

In response, SERAP argued that the FOI Act was a special specie of
legislation to liberalize and expand access to information for all
Nigerians; that the FOI Act does not impose any requirement of locus standi
on applicants; that the only relevant limitation period in the case is that
which requires filing of suit within 30 days if information is not given;
that the right which the FOI Act seeks to protect is the right of the
public to have access to information which is in custody of a public
official or institution; and that the information sought by SERAP was not
caught by the law against retroactivity, noting that the right in question
is expropriatory in nature which justifies the granting of access to the
requested information on the ground of overriding public interest.

SERAP also argued in its pleadings that “By virtue of Section 1 (1) of the
FOI Act 2011, it is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to
information which is in the custody or possession of any public official,
agency or institution. By the provisions of Section 2(7) and 31 of the FOI
Act 2011, the Accountant General of the Federation is a public official. By
virtue of Section 4 (a) of the FOI Act when a person makes a request for
information from a public official, institution or agency, the public
official, institution or agency to whom the application is directed is
under a binding legal obligation to provide the applicant with the
information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within
7 days after the application is received.”

The organization also argued that, “The information requested relates to
the spending on recovered stolen funds since the return of civilian rule in
1999. By Sections 2(3)(d)(V) & (4) of the FOI Act, a public official is
under a binding legal duty to ensure that documents containing information
relating to the receipt or expenditure of recovered stolen funds are widely
disseminated and made readily available to members of the public through
various means.”

According to the organization, “The information requested does not come
within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by
the provisions of the FOI Act. The government has no reason whatsoever to
deny SERAP access to the information sought. The requested information,
apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FOI Act, bothers on
an issue of national interest, public concern, social justice, good
governance, transparency and accountability.”

“The power or discretion to refuse to give access to information requested
for cannot be exercised in vacuo. Such a power or discretion must be
provided for by the FOI Act itself. This means, therefore, that a request
for information can only be denied or turned down if the information
requested is one which is exempted from disclosure under the provisions of
the FOI Act. In the case at hand, the information requested for by the
plaintiff relates strictly to the spending of recovered stolen funds since
the return of civilian rule in 1999.”

“Obedience to the rule of law by all citizens but more particularly those
who publicly took oath of office to protect and preserve the constitution
is a desideratum to good governance and respect for the rule of law. In a
democratic society, this is meant to be a norm; it is an apostasy for
government to ignore the provisions of the law and the necessary rules made
to regulate matters.”

Property rights reporting Grant for Journalists

The Pulitzer centre on crisis reporting is providing grant to support the reporting of property rights issues in Nigeria. 

Here’s the link  https://www.fundsforngos.org/developing-countries-2/nigeria/pulitzer-center-on-crisis-reporting-seeking-nigerian-journalists-for-property-rights-reporting-grant/

Nigerian journalists visit Benenoir radio station, call for collaboration

by Dayo Emmanuel

Emmanuel (in blue and white), presenting the JFC/WACC publication to Turari

Chief News Editor of the Republic of Benin-based radio station, Radio Su Tii Dera, Mr. Wahab Turari, has advised on the need for a working relationship between Nigerian journalists and their Benenoir counterparts.

Turari, who played host to journalists and missionaries from Nigeria recently, gave a background of the station based in Nikki, northern part of the West African nation.

“We are happy to have you pay a courtesy visit today. This is Radio Su Tii Dera, operating in Nikki. Journalist in Nigeria and Benin are the same, we are in the same profession and it is good if we have a good working relationship,” he said.

The News Editor continued that, “We have many radio stations in Benin Republic, some are business oriented, some are Christian oriented. We have different types. Radio Su Tii Dera is a community based radio station, we broadcast news of Benin Republic, it is owned by the country and sponsored by the people. So it is established for the country and not for individuals or of private interest.”

According to Turari, the station also has established partnership with professional bodies who sponsor programs. “We have arrangement with professional bodies who sponsor us, preachers do come here to preach as well and pay for their time used,” he explained.

Talking about the law that established the station, Turari said the law establishing the radio station made provision for it to be sponsored by the people, but later, such sponsorship had dwindled with time.

On the challenges facing the station, he said, “After commencing operations, the station originally designed to be sponsored by the people, has no enough sponsorship. We run the power generating set from personal fund, as you can see, there was no power supply when you came and we were not on air, but we had to start the generator by 5pm to commence operations again.”

He therefore welcome a collaboration that could yield results. “We would speak to our superior officers on a possible collaboration with you. It is good to network, you can bring a letter so we can submit to our bosses, it is not a strange thing to us,” he said.

In his response, Administrative Secretary of Journalists For Christ (JFC), Nigeria, Dayo Emmanuel, appreciated Turari for the warm welcome.

Emmanuel, who also writes for Newswatch Times newspaper in Nigeria, said, “Journalism is the same everywhere and more so, Benin Republic and Nigeria share common boarder as good neighbours on the West African coast and therefore should collaborate to achieve greater results.

He also told Turari about the Nigerian media. “Like you may have known, Nigeria operates a robust media industry. Apart from being the most populous nation on the continent, Nigeria is also home to outstanding media organisations and media professionals who have distinguished themselves globally. Therefore a collaboration would no doubt facilitate rapid career development, which would definitely reflect on our societies.”

Also on the team, Ayokunle Samuel Oloye, a JFC member who also writes for the Peoples Daily newspaper in Nigeria, appreciated Radio Su Tii Dera for opening its doors to their Nigerian counterparts.

“I particularly thank you all for giving us the opportunity to know more about what you do here. Like you mentioned, a synergy between Nigerian journalists and your station would go a long way to strengthen the relationship between our two nations,” he said.

Emmanuel also intimated Turari on JFC, Nigeria. “Journalists For Christ is an organisation for Christian journalists and allied professionals in Nigeria. We have members from various media houses and since 1998, we meet for fellowship every third Saturday of the month to share the word of God, pray and engage in career development workshops.”

He added that, “Our recent project was a month-long media monitoring on portraying and reportage of women and girls right issues in six Nigerian newspapers, which report was published and presented to the public in January.” He continued that, “Theme of the publication sponsored by World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), Canada, is ‘Mainstreaming Gender Reporting on Affirmative Action of Women and Girls Rights Issues,’ advising that, “This is a kind of synergy we feel journalists across the African sub-region and even across the world should form to better the lot of the people.”

JFC however called on Radio Su Tii Dera to give more prominence to reporting women and girls right issues in their bulletins.

At the end of the courtesy visit, Turari, who introduced other staff of the station on duty, also conducted the visitors round the facility after which a copy of the JFC/WACC publication was formally presented to the station.

Also on the visit were Nigerian and Benenoir missionaries, including, Pastors Olusina Sadiku, Akin Ajiboye, Timothy Ajiboye, Femi Dada,  Andrae Salifu, George among others.

Firm unveils pre-event activities for Cannes advertising festival Firm unveils pre-event activities for Cannes advertising festival

• By Margaret Mwantok 

 

As Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity launches its communications campaign for 2016 titled ‘Thank You Creativity,’ the official festival representative in Nigeria, CHINI Productions, has also rolled out plans for the pre-Cannes local events in Nigeria. Activities lined up in Nigeria include the Roger Hatchuel Academy, the Young Lions Competitions, the Miami Ad School Scholarship Competitions, Lions Edit and Lions Night & Awards.

These activities are scheduled to take place from April 5 through April 9, 2016. Entries for Roger Hatchuel Academy, Young Lions Competition and Miami Ad School Scholarship competitions are already open at www.canneslions-ng.com.

The Roger Hatchuel Academy is the oldest academy in Cannes Lions and is named after the first Festival chairman. It is a high profile, intensive training for university students who intend to work in advertising upon graduation. In Nigeria, CHINI Productions has partnered with APCON for about nine years to promote this programme.

This year, the programme will see talented students gather from campuses around Nigeria to learn from leading professionals in Lagos and visit organisations in the industry during the 3-day intensive residential programme. Companies that have already indicated interest to host the students include Noah’s Ark Communications and STB McCann. The Roger Hatchuel Academy Awards this year will include Best Teacher and Best School awards. The best academy student as usual will be sponsored to attend the international academy in Cannes and the first runner-up will be sponsored to attend a sister regional festival, the Dubai Lynx.

The Young Lions Competitions will hold in Film, Design, Print, Cyber and Media categories. These are competitions among young professionals of 30 years and below working in agencies in Nigeria. The winners from each category will represent Nigeria in their respective categories at the international competitions during the Cannes Lions Festival in June.

This year, CHINI is partnering with Miami Ad School again to offer talented Nigerian creatives scholarships to study at Miami Ad Schools around the world for the certificate, first degree and master’s degree programmes respectively. This is the sixth consecutive year of the scholarship programme and earlier beneficiaries are already contributing to the industry both locally and internationally.

A new introduction to the local offering of the pre Cannes programmes is the Lions Edit. This is a platform offered to agencies, digital companies, production outfits and brands to connect their practice to the creativity essence of Cannes Lions to make topnotch presentations that will educate, inspire, enrich and grow the industry. Several companies have already indicated interest to be part of this. Special roles are expected to be played by communications experts in Health and Technology as well as Nollywood and Music in line with the new specialized festival extensions in Cannes – Lions Health, Lions Innovation and Lions Entertainment. The event is scheduled to begin at 9:00am on April 9, 2016 at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Managing Director of CHINI Productions and Cannes Lions representative, Mr. Nnamdi Ndu, said: “For many in the industry, this is as close as they can get to Cannes Lions. This is our own creative carnival! There is no reason in the world why any major brand or agency in Nigeria should not be at the forefront of this. More than ever before, we need creative solutions to get out of the present challenges we find ourselves in as a nation. And, here’s an open invitation for all hands to come on deck. If we don’t build our industry, no one else will.”

Be sensitive, responsible, NBC urges radio broad

• By Gbenga Salau 

A radio station. image source justshuddup

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has called on radio broadcasters to recognise the power of they have and exercise such with great responsibility and sensitivity.

In a message yesterday to mark World Radio Day with the theme, ‘Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster’, NBC urged radio broadcasters to produce programmes that present radio as a lifeline during emergencies and help to empower people in devastated communities, aside providing the citizenry with information that would empower them, give them a means of livelihood and sense of dignity.

The broadcast regulator described the theme as very relevant to Nigeria, in the face of mindless killing of innocent Nigerians by a misguided sect, known as Bokoharam, as well as perennial floods, which together have continued to devastate homes and farmlands and create millions of internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

“At the National Broadcasting Commission, we recognise radio as an effective medium to reach remote communities and vulnerable people to provide necessary information, essential to saving lives. We also recognise the need to ensure the safety of journalists as they cover disasters. We call for adequate insurance cover for journalists and well as reasonable access to ground zero in all cases.”

The Commission stated that practitioners must ensure that radio give access to the people to express themselves and participate in the decision-making process that would affect their lives. “In line with this, the Commission is empowering the local people to raise their voices and be heard through the grant of community radio licenses.”

It also said it remains committed to protecting radio frequencies and making sure they are available in times of emergency. “And with the successful switchover to digital broadcasting, the Commission hopes to promote the effective utilization of the spectrum, as a tool for national development.

“As we mark this year’s World Radio Day, we join the United Nations to urge all radio broadcasters in Nigeria to use radio to promote the sustainable development goals, to transform our world and demonstrate that, indeed, radio saves lives.”

Bloomberg journalism training marks first year with over 250 graduate

• By Gbenga Salau

 

Applications now open for latest cohort
The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) Executive Training Program to advance financial journalism in Africa marks the completion of its first year this month with 260 graduates receiving recognition at graduation ceremonies in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. The series of ceremonies concluded in Kenya on 22 February.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the six-month certificate program is offered to journalists and mid-career professionals in business and civil society to strengthen their skills in capital markets and data analysis and enhance their knowledge in financial and economic reporting. The program is a core component of the BMIA, which aims to accelerate development of a globally competitive media and financial reporting industry as well as promote transparency, accountability and good governance in Africa.

“We hope participants will consider this exposure to business and financial reporting as a lifelong vocation to further the development, quality, accuracy and impact of the field in Africa. Bloomberg is proud to partner with preeminent journalists and leading universities in Africa to make this program possible,” says Erana Stennnett, Director, Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa. “I am proud of the journalists and executives who completed the program, and thank their employers for giving them the opportunity,” she adds.

Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, with additional support from the Ford Foundation, the BMIA Executive Training Program brings together leading faculty from the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and five other preeminent business and journalism schools in Africa, including: Rhodes University School of Journalism in South Africa; the University of Lagos Department of Mass Communication and Radio, and the Pan Atlantic University Lagos Business School in Nigeria; and University of Nairobi, School of Journalism and Mass Communications and Strathmore Business School in Kenya.

Dr. George Njenga, Dean of Strathmore Business School, Kenya says: “Extraordinary business journalists who have completed the BMIA Executive Training Program in Kenya will help grow the financial and business sector to greater heights. This is possible thanks to Bloomberg.”

This interactive program aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of media professionals to better serve the public interest as a critical part of continental development and progress. Program participants received instruction from world-class faculty and industry experts. The 19-day program over six months consists of six modules featuring Public Policy, Financial Journalism, Financial Markets, Accounting and Finance. Delegates also receive copies of “The Bloomberg Way”, a guide for reporters and editors written by Matthew Winkler, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Bloomberg News, as well as a free subscription to leading financial and business information system, the Bloomberg Professional service.

“It gives us a great sense of accomplishment to graduate 90 participants in Nigeria’s BMIA Executive Training program. Several graduates are already on their way to higher responsibilities in their careers, demonstrating the quality of the faculty and relevance of the program.

We hope to keep attracting outstanding candidates to the program and generating real influence in financial reporting in Nigeria,” Dr. Bongo Adi, Consortium Faculty at the Pan Atlantic University Lagos Business School in Nigeria added.