Haruna Mohammed, the publisher of WikkiTimes, a Bauchi-based digital platform, Fisayo Soyombo, undercover journalist and founder, Foundation for Investigative Journalism alongside others will be speaking by 2pm today at the 14th Wole Soyinka centre media lecture series.
The lecture which holds virtually is centred on the theme: ‘Can democracy work without a strong sub-national media?’. The webinar will also feature the public launch of the centre’s Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) project.
“The CMEDIA Project is a multi-level intervention for media independence and government accountability by the WSCIJ with support from the MacArthur Foundation, is working through 26 partner organisations to improve transparency, accountability and good governance and amplify marginalised voices, especially at state and local government levels and the private sector,” Motunrayo Alaka, the Executive Director/CEO, WSCIJ said in a statement.
“It was first held in 2008 to put varying topical issues on the front burner through conversations about the perceived performance of the media on the health of our country, Nigeria, and its democracy. The tradition of holding the event on July 13 started in 2009 in our bid to honour,” Alaka added.
The event, however, coincides with the 88th birthday of Nobel Laurette, Wole Soyinka.
The keynote speakers at the event include; Chiedo Nwankwor, the Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs at John Hopkins University, School of Advanced and International Students (SAIS), and Kole Shettima, the Director, MacArthur Foundation Africa office.
Apart from WikkiTimes publisher, others to speak at the event include the founder of Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Social Justice, Fisayo Soyombo, Ibiba Don Pedro, the Managing Director, National Point, Adaora Onyechere, the executive director, Gender Strategy Advancement International, Mansur Liman, the Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
READ: Kperogi, Nkanga, Pate, Omeje… Excerpts From WikkiTimes’ Capacity Building for Journalists
The event is to be moderated by Uduak Amimo, a broadcaster.
Interested participants can register for the webinar here before it commences in the afternoon.
