Albarka 89.9 FM, one of the 26 partners of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA), has announced plans to establish an investigative journalism desk as part of its commitment to deliver top-notch investigative reports in Kwara State. Akinlolu Akinpelumi, Programmes Manager, Albarka 89.9 FM, made this known on Thursday, 14 March 2024 during a virtual visit of the WSCIJ team led by Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/CEO, to the station.
Akinpelumi said the investigative desk will provide the next generation of journalists in Kwara State and the North Central region of Nigeria a platform to develop while stressing the need for continuous capacity building and mentorship for investigative journalists in Nigeria while reporting subnational issues.
Reeling out their activities in 2023, Rasheed Adigun, Managing Director, Albarka 89.9 FM, said they organised three community townhalls in select communities in Kwara State on the status of constituency projects, with eighty-five stakeholders in attendance. They also held three media roundtables for eighty-two journalists and produced fifty episodes of a weekly programme on good governance and accountability. Following the station’s Good governance and accountability programme, the World Bank and Kwara State Government has donated towards the renovation and provision of equipment to Adanla Irese Health Centre. The station also supported four journalists to produce investigative reports.
Alaka commended the Albarka FM team for their dedication to promoting investigative journalism in Kwara State. Addressing the security challenges investigative journalists face, she advocated for collaboration among investigative journalists, community-based organisations, and local reporters and becoming creative in times of crisis.
Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, CMEDIA’s Technical Adviser, lauded the radio station for deliberately transitioning from activity-based reporting to issue-based stories and investigative journalism. She stressed the importance of including voices from diverse demographics, including the elderly, widows, women and PwDs.
Samson Ademola, Programme Officer; Emem Nssien, CMEDIA Finance Officer and Oni Afolabi, Communications Officer, were also part of the visit.
WSCIJ is working with 26 partner organisations across Nigeria, including Albarka FM, to improve public awareness and the media ecosystem for transparency, accountability and good governance and amplify marginalised voices, especially at state and local government levels and the private sector.
