Eight PTCIJ Campus Reporters Selected for African Investigative Journalism Conference 2020 Fellowship

Eight Premium Times Center for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) campus reporters have been selected for the 16th annual edition African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) 2020 fellowship programme.

Samuel Ajala, Abdulrasheed Hammad, Mariam Hamzat, Taiwo Fatola, Olutaiwo Ayobami Sunday, Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim, Precious Echipue, and Abdulwasiu Olokooba, who are all PTCIJ campus reporters, were selected alongside 92 other African journalists to attend this year’s (2020) fellowship programme.

According to Aurelia Mbokazi, the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) 2020 Editor, the fellows who were chosen from different newsrooms in Africa will undergo skill trainings, networking, collaboration, promoting ad sharing of in-depth accounts of major investigative stories, spread throughout the month of October starting from October 6, 2020.

“This will grant you access to participate in the premier annual gathering of African investigative journalists, a platform for skills training, networking, promoting, collaboration and sharing of in-depth accounts of major investigative stories,” she said.

Mbokazi explained that: “This year’s conference will be virtual and will feature more than 50 speakers in workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions, as well as skills training in areas such as advanced data analysis and security.”

“Key speakers include award-winning journalists from across the world and Africa’s best. This is a chance to hear and meet those leading the field and enhance your skills with the latest tools and tips.”

She added that the fellows are expected to use the fellowship period to write articles on panel discussions and interview the speakers as part of their contributions to keeping investigative journalism in the continent ignited.

Some of the selected fellows from PTCIJ’s campus reporter platform have expressed their happiness over their selection.

“I am really excited for being selected for AIJC Conference Fellowship Program,” said Samuel Ajala, fellow African Investigative Journalism Conference 2020.

“I want to say a big thank you to Uncle Dapsy, Premium Times, PTCIJ and Mrs Busola Ajibola for the mentorship and platform to grow,” he added

Another fellow, Taiwo Fatola said: “I feel very excited to have been selected for the conference and I hope the fellowship will empower me in investigative journalism. I also thank PTCIJ for the opportunity given to me in using their platform as a stepping stone for achieving this feat.”

The 2020 edition of the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) fellowship programme, which will last throughout October, is hosted by the journalism department of the University of Witwatersrand, (Wits University), Johannesburg, South Africa.