UNESCO trains 50 female students on investigative journalism

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has trained no fewer than 50 female student-journalists in 11 tertiary institutions in the  South-West on investigative journalism.

The  Officer-in-charge, UNESCO Abuja, Prof. Hassana Alidou, stated this in Abeokuta, while addressing the student-journalists at the opening ceremony of the two-day capacity building workshop on investigative journalism for female student-journalists held at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.

The students were drawn from Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos State University, Caleb University, Yaba College of Technology, Covenant University, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and Babcock University, Ilishan. Others were Redeemer’s  University, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Olabisi  Onabanjo University, University of Lagos and University of Ibadan.

According to Prof. Allidou, “a society where investigative journalism thrives is a free, save and democratic society because investigative journalism is a service to the public. Media organisations that conduct and manage investigations properly gain great influence and goodwill in the society, which increases their access to information and hence their competitive position.

“If you are engaged in investigative reporting, you will be better known in the profession and outside it. Your skills will be highly valued; whether or not you remain a journalist, you will never be far from a job. But this can’t be said of those who lack investigative skills and are easily replaceable.”

Explaining why the institution embraced the idea of training young journalists organised by UNESCO, the Rector of  MAPOLY, Architect Tokunbo  Fowode, represented by his Deputy, Lekan Famuyiwa, said the aim is to breed true media professionals.