The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) honored WikkiTimes Publisher, Mr. Haruna Mohammed Salisu, with the 2024 Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award during the celebration of World Press Freedom Day.
The award recognizes Mr. Mohammed’s significant contributions to enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance in Northeast Nigeria.
The NUJ highlighted Mr. Mohammed’s fearless journalism, particularly his efforts in exposing corruption despite facing severe repercussions. In its brochure, the NUJ cited fearless reporting done by Mohammed. For instance, a WikkiTimes investigation in January 2021 into malpractices at a Saudi-funded hospital led to threats and legal actions against him. In the same year, WikkiTimes reporting on the mismanagement of a N1 billion educational initiative by a federal lawmaker resulted in a N2 billion defamation lawsuit against him and the outlet.
Additionally, Mr. Mohammed faced litigation in Kano State and another lawsuit from federal representative Abdullahi Sa’ad Abdulkadir over different investigative stories.
Physical assaults have marred Mr. Mohammed’s career; the Bauchi Police Headquarters detained and mistreated him and a colleague following their report on local political threats.
He was also arrested and remanded on election day in February for interviewing protesting women. This exemplifies extreme measures used to intimidate Mohammed and his team.
Despite facing eight ongoing lawsuits, Mr. Mohammed and his team at WikkiTimes continue their mission of accountability journalism, exposing corruption and advocating for justice. His relentless pursuit of truth has garnered him recognition and support from global journalism networks like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism, (CCIJ), Forbidden Stories among others.
Mr. Mohammed, a fellow at the Africa Resilience Network and the Kwame Karikari Research Fellowship, affiliates with several prestigious journalism organizations, including the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism in the USA, Safebox Network, Forbidden Stories in Paris, and the Global Investigative Journalism Network.
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Dr. Chris Isiguzo, NUJ National President, during his opening address, said the awards honor those who defend press freedom in Nigeria.
Other media figures recognized included Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor-in-chief of ASHENEWS; Jibrin Ndace, Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON); Salihu Dembos, Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA); and veteran journalist Otunba Gbenga Onayiga.
Prominent non-journalists honored were Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Abdulrazzak Namdas, President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers; and Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation.
