Meet The Dubawa Fellows

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2019 Fellows

Dubawa Fellow

Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan

Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan is a Bloomberg-trained Financial Journalist with over five (5) years of experience in journalism and two years focusing on financial and economic journalism. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba and a Master’s degree (distinction) from the University of Benin, Benin City.

Currently, he works at BusinessDay Media Ltd as a Finance and Economic Analyst where he conducts research and analysis on publicly-listed companies, financial markets and the economy.

BusinessDay is West Africa’s most authoritative business newspaper based in Nigeria’s commercial city, Lagos. The daily offers in-depth analysis of the economic, business and financial issues and it is widely read by investors, policymakers and business-minded individuals.

Prior to joining BusinessDay, Oluwasegun worked as a Research Analyst at Proshare Nigeria Limited and he was the Business Correspondent for Ripples Nigeria Limited.

Dubawa Fellow

Ebere Agozie

Ebere Agozie is a Senior Correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) with a staff strength of about 880, Joined in 2014 as a correspondent. Currently covering Agriculture and Environment beats from the headquarters of the Agency in Abuja. She had covered other beats including Culture and Entertainment, and Science and Technology, with reportage on different themes.

Her works were aired on multiple networks through the NAN platform. She is also the winner of the 2018 COORDINATOR’S OPEN FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY(OFAB) MEDIA AWARD FOR BEST PRINT REPORTER”.

Prior to joining NAN, she was the Operations Manager, AULIC Nigeria Limited, the concessionaire of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex – 2012; Head, Public Relations and Corporate Affairs, Aulic Nigeria Limited from 2009 to 2012. She rose from the position of the Public Relations Officer to Head of Public Affairs at FABER Expressions, a Radio/Television Production firm – 2000-2009.

She is a graduate of Mass Communications from the Institute of Management and Technology(IMT), Enugu, (HND) -1998. And holds a Master of Business Administration(MBA) from the Lagos State University (LASU) – 2007.

Dubawa Fellow

Niyi Oyedeji

Niyi Oyedeji is an Online reporter with the Tribune Online, the Online publication of the Oldest surviving Nigeria’s news medium, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) PLC, publishers of Tribune Titles.

Niyi is a journalist cum human right activist, whose work revolves around Education, Gender, Health, Development and Humanitarian issues.

He also has a flair for Fact-Checking and Investigative Journalism. In 2018, He was a fellow of Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative, REMOP for basic education. His recent Investigative report which led to the increase in the education budget of Osun State was on Osun’s out-of-school children.

Dubawa Fellow

Justina Asishana

Justina Asishana is the Niger state correspondent for The Nation Newspaper, Nigeria’s foremost nationwide daily and online newspaper. Justina has previously worked at the New Nigerian newspaper and Daily Newswatch newspaper as the Niger state correspondent.

She is an upcoming data and investigative journalist who has just discovered how to use data and data related tools for better reporting. She has done some investigative reporting for her media organization, The Nation Newspaper, the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).

She covers all sectors as a state correspondent. She was recently inducted as a Dubawa Fellow which is a fact-checking fellowship to combat misinformation in the state and nation; she is the 2019 ONE Champion in Niger state and was the ICFJ 2018 Safety Fellow.

Ms Justina is not afraid to explore new subjects and topics as she is always open and ready to learn new things in the field of journalism. She loves to read, write, explore the internet, travel, network, experiment with data tools and advocate for the rights of the people.

Dubawa Fellow

Gbenga Samuel Salau

Gbenga Samuel Salau is a graduate of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. While in the University, he was a campus journalist reporting for the Independence Hall and Faculty of Arts Press Clubs, with the pen name SSG. As a campus journalist, he won the following awards; Independence Hall Press Best News writer; University of Ibadan Union of Campus Journalists’ Best News Reporter/Writer; First Runner-up, Reuben Abati Award for Investigative Journalism; Association of Faculty of Arts Students’ Press Best Reporter; University of Ibadan Union of Campus Journalists’ Best Political Writer; Winner, Reuben Abati Award for Investigative Journalism, and University of Ibadan Union of Campus Journalists’ Best Interviewer.  He rose to be the editor-in-chief of Association of faculty of Arts Press Clubs.

He joined The Guardian Newspaper, Nigeria after graduation. And as a reporter, he has covered events and attended conferences, workshops within and outside Nigeria. In 2014, he won the Promasidor Quill Award Best Report on Nutrition and DAME Business Reporting category. In the 2015 edition of the Promasidor Quill Award, he won the best Report on Nutrition and Brand Advocate Categories. 

In 2016, he was the first runner up in the NB Reporter of the Year and SERAs Award for CSR Reporting, aside winning the Print Journalist of the year award at the 2016 Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA). In 2018, he was second runner-up in the Lagos Reporting Category of DAME.

Gbenga Salau loves travelling, reading, and listening to songs with good lyrics no matter the genre.

2020 Fellows

IFEDAYO OGUNYEMI

With more than five years experience in communications and journalism, Ifedayo Ogunyemi is a professional, hardworking and detail-oriented content creator & marketer, newspaper designer, media career enthusiast and journalist.

Ifedayo edited several campus publications as an undergraduate and served in various leadership positions at the multiple award-winning Press Club MAPOLY.

At present, aside being a Senior Reporter with the Nigerian Tribune, a publication of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, he works as one of the News Sub-Editors of Tribune Online (the online section of the Nigerian Tribune titles) where he reports, fact-checks, sub-edits and handles visualisations.

He has articles published across more than five national dailies and a plethora of online news platforms.

He is among the 47 international journalists participating in the ongoing Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) 2020 Solutions Journalism Mentorship Programme.

When he’s not tapping away at his keypad, Ifedayo can be found discussing movies, football and media career with colleagues and friends.

ALAO ABIODUN

Alao Abiodun is Journalist with The Nation Newspaper, Nigeria’s foremost nationwide daily and online newspaper. He is a graduate of Educational Management, University of Ibadan (B.Ed) and St. Augustine College of Education, Lagos (NCE – Economics Education, Distinction).

While in the University, he was a popular campus journalist reporting for NUESA Press Organisation, Union of Campus Journalists’ (UCJ) and Campus Reporter. As a campus journalist, he won numerous journalism awards. After graduation, Abiodun worked with a news platform called; APRECON and also freelanced with some other notable media platforms.

Abiodun received his journalism training under the Premium Times Center for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) and PREMIUM TIMES, since then he has been actively involved in different aspect and wide spectrum of journalistic activities ranging from election monitoring, tracking constituency projects, news reporting, fact-checking among others.

As a ‘writivist’, he has written on diverse societal and contemporary issues that have engaged many readers and earned him widespread recognition. He’s a spontaneous news reporter with many stories to his credit. He has covered events and attended conferences, training, workshops within and outside Nigeria.

He writes opinionated articles and essays with his works published on notable online media platforms such as TheCable, Sahara Reporters, PREMIUM TIMES, Newsdigest, International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), The Street Journal, legit.ng and many others.

Abiodun was recently inducted as a 2020 Dubawa Fellow which is a fact-checking fellowship to combat misinformation in Nigeria. He is a writer who is keen on exploring unexpected angles and equipped with many years of prolific writing experience in different areas.

Abiodun loves travelling and also enjoys reading newspaper columns.

RAHEEMAT ADENIRAN

Raheemat Adeniran lectures Journalism at Lagos State University School of Communication, Nigeria. She is a scholar with over 10 years experience in researching media contents across varied platforms. She specialises in journalism studies and health communication. She is currently a 2020 Dubawa research fellow. She was a 2018 Erasmus scholar at the Birmingham City University, UK, and participated at the British Council’s 2019 Researcher Connect Workshop. She holds a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Communication Studies (2018) from Lagos State University, Nigeria.

Her most recent works include:

Making health news: Examining how health influencers drive coverage of maternal and child healthcare issues in Nigerian newspapers. Communication & Society, 33(4), 47-60. Available at https://revistas.unav.edu/index.php/communication-and-society/article/view/39350

“Gender Issues in Nigerian Newspapers Coverage of Maternal and Child Healthcare Issues” Communication Cultures in Africa, 2(1), pp. 31-49, Edited by Oluyinka Esan, pp. Winchester University Press. DOI: http://doi.org/10.21039/cca.24

AKEREDOLU FOLASHADE

Folashade Gloria SEYE-OJO is a broadcast Journalist of over eight years experience in different areas of reportage and news analysis.

She works with the Oyo state Broadcasting station that operates both radio and television stations: Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State where she is a reporter, producer and presenter.

She has featured in most of the station’s flagship programs as well as produced her own show ‘Crime Alert’. These constant appearance has made her a force to reckon with in the station.

Folashade has participated in trainings and fellowships both within and outside the country as she has so many awards to her name.

She has a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan,in Oyo state. she also got her foundation in Journalism through her first degree in Mass Communication obtained from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State.

Folashade SEYE-OJO is passionate about the truth and nothing but the truth. She is an advocate of peace and tranquility. She is a fellow of Dubawa Africa.

KUNLE ADEBAJO

‘Kunle Adebajo is a freelance writer and senior investigative reporter at HumAngle. He is the editor of non-fiction and cultural criticism at Agbowo, editor-in-chief of Punocracy, and was a 2019 fellow of Africa Check. He is passionate about human rights, educational reform, and political accountability. He has won a number of journalism awards including the 2018 Alfred Opubo Prize for Opinion, 2018 Budeshi Datathon Writers’ Challenge, and 2019 West Africa Medica Excellence Award for Best Telecommunications Report. He is also a 2020 finalist for the Isu Elihle Awards on child-centred reporting.

ATINUKE SEUN-IGE

Atinúkẹ́ Ṣeun-Ìgè is an All-round Journalist with over thirteen (13) years of experience in News writing and editing.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ibadan, and is currently on her thesis for the award of PhD from the same University.

Atinúkẹ́ is a journalist, with a special skill in photojournalism; a counselling psychologist with a heart and skills for helping everyone who comes around her become a better person with a better life. As much as she is a writer and editor, Atinúkẹ́ is also versed in transcribing contents both in English and Yoruba languages, as well as translating contents from either language to the other.

With the introduction of online News media, Atinúkẹ́ has, since 2017, worked at the Website Channel of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Nigeria, coordinating work affairs within the Channel, as well as investigating, writing, editing and publishing contents on the Corporation’s Website Channel.

She is a Dubawa Fellow. The fellowship is a fact-checking fellowship geared at combating misinformation in all areas of human life from governance to personal life and beliefs, among others.

In her desire to explore distinct ideas on issues germane to human life, she is often ready to acquire more knowledge in the field of journalism and human psychology.

She likes reading, writing, teaching, networking and surfing the internet for life- transforming ideas and information.

ALIYU DAHIRU ALIYU

Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu doubles as Special Projects Editor and Programs Manager at HumAngle. He heads the fact-checking team at the organisation and writes on insecurity, crisis signaling, technology and disinformation and misinformation.

Prior to joining the HumAngle, Aliyu was a research programs officer at Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) in FCT Abuja, Nigeria, and also served as Technical Officer and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Kano Nigeria.

Aliyu contributed to many articles on International newspapers as a freelance journalist with CNN and BBC. He was a regular columnist with Leadership Hausa and weekly opinion writer with Daily Nigerian.

Aliyu received his Bachelor in Information Technology from International University of East Africa, Kampala, Uganda, after receiving his International Diploma (IDITC) and International Advanced Diploma in Communication, Network and Computer Security (IADNCS) both from Informatics Academy, Singapore. He attended different workshops, conferences and trainings both in Nigeria and overseas.

JAMIU FOLARIN

Jamiu Folarin is a lecturer and researcher at the department of Mass Communication, Crescent University, Abeokuta and Ph.D candidate at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. His research thesis is focused on “Critical Analysis of Adoption of Digital Tools in Fact-checking Information on the 2019 Elections”. His research interest includes: Media Technology, Information Disorder, Political Communication and Journalism Ethics. He has published in local and international journals. He attended and presented papers at many academic conferences, workshops and seminars. He also has to his credit, publications in local and international journals, and books. He holds Master’s degree from University of Lagos Sate (UNILAG), Akoka, and a Bachelor’s degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye and National Diploma Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Prior to his academic sojourn, he started his professional career at the first private radio station in Ogun State, Rockcity 101.9 F.M as one of the pioneer staff who build the News and Current Affairs Department. After seven years of working as broadcast journalist covering the governor’s office, State House of Assembly, Political Parties, Business, Religion, Court, Security, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies; he ventured into online and multi-media journalism. He is the promoter of Nigeria Meter, a special online and multimedia platform dedicated to documenting promises of public officials and monitoring their fulfilments.

He was also Assistant Manager, News and Current Affairs, Sweet 107.1 F.M, Abeokuta and independent producer of religious programmes on Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) 90.5 F.M, Sweet 107.1 F.M, and Roots 97.1 F.M, all in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. He also works briefly at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Abeokuta and the Ogun State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Jamiu is also the Ogun State Coordinator and Community Reporter, Connected Development, Abuja, with a Project tagged: “I Follow The Money” dedicated at tracking the national and international expenses in the area of Education, Health and Environment. He also writes for number of online media platforms including Opera News, Footprint To Africa, Renaissance among others. He has to his credit many awards among which are: Radio Reporter of the Year, 2nd Runners up (2014), Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME); Reporter of the Year (2010), Boot communications, Rockcity 101.9 F.M, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Jamiu Folarin (2020 Dubawa Research Fellow)

RAJI RASAKI

Raji, Rasaki graduated from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye where he bagged Bachelor of Arts (B.A) and Masters of Arts (M.A) in English Literature. He has also undergone a Post-Graduate Diploma programme in Public Relations and Advertising at the Nigerian Union of Journalism (NIJ).

In 2005, he joined International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos as a media content research officer, monitoring rights and development issues ranging from anti-corruption, tax, budget, gender, politics and democratic governance reporting in the Nigerian media. He has vast experience in media monitoring, training, conducting qualitative and quantitative research, report writing and content analysis.

He later rose to become head of media monitoring team in IPC where he coordinated a media monitoring and research project for 2019 general elections under the component 4b: Support to media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).

He coordinated media monitoring projects on media coverage of 2011 and 2015 general elections, jointly implemented by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Nigerian Press council (NPC) and funded by the UNDP, Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) 11 Project. He supervised a monitoring project on Oil and Gas Reporting, funded by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI); Rural Poverty Reporting, funded by the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC); and Development &Governance Reporting, funded by the British Council among others.

He has also consulted for Journalists Against Aids (JAAIDs) as head of media monitoring project on the Rights and Portrayal of People-Living-With-Disabilities (PLWDs) under the “Voices for Change: Promoting increased uptake of SRH service among People with Disabilities (PwDs) in Lagos” and the reporting of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), funded by the World Association for Christian Communication (WAAC).

He has also consulted for Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCfIJ), on a media monitoring under the Regulators’ Monitoring Project (REMOP).

In 2020, he joined Dubawa fact-checking outfit of the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) as a fact-checking and an accountability researcher.

He enjoys reading, travelling and craft.

FRANCIS ILOANI

Francis Arinze Iloani is a business/investigative journalist with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja. Iloani holds an MSc in Mass Communication from Nasarawa State University and a BA in Mass Communication from University of Maiduguri. He also holds a certificate in Financial Journalism jointly awarded by the Lagos Business School and the University of Lagos and a certificate in Digital Journalism Production awarded by the Press Association, London. He is a member of Daily Trust Board of Economists. In addition to publishing several news and articles on Daily Trust, Iloani authors journal articles, the latest being “Should Internet-based Media be Regulated in Nigeria?” It was published in the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) Book Series 5, 2020. Iloani has received several awards, including the Top 50 Winner of the Intercontinental Bank PLC (now Access Bank) Nigeria’s Independence Essay Competition (50 Stars @ 50). He is a Dubawa Fact-checking fellow for 2020.

QOSIM SULEIMAN

Qosim Suleiman is a News Editor with Vision FM Sokoto, a part of Vision Media Services.

He is a Writing Fellow with African Liberty. Apart from being a Fact-Checking Fellow with Dubawa, Qosim is also currently working with the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on its Open Contract Reporting (OCR) Project.

He studies Adult Education with a Major in Economics from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto.

ELFREDAH KEVIN-ALERECHI

Elfredah Kevin-Alerechi, is a multimedia Journalist who believes so much on reporting the underreported but important stories. Her fellowship with Dubawa is in Partnership with Today95.1fm, Port Harcourt and NewsWire, NGR.

Currently, she accepted a full-time staff role with Peoples Gazette, an online media aim to provide quality and practical information to help the masses stay ahead and better understand events around them. Peoples Gazette focuses on being the balanced source of true, stimulating, and independent journalism.

As a Dubawa Fellow, Elfredah introduced a 10minutes Fact-Checking Programme on Today95.1fm, Port Harcourt, which runs every Saturday immediately after 12pm News. The programme is the first of its kind in the oil-rich Rivers State.

She is an Accountaprenuer of Accountability Lab Nigeria and a 2019 Fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Program of the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism.

She has reported several issues that have made an impact, which include Exposing of fake products in two bigger stores in Rivers State. These superstores are among the top 5 superstores in Rivers State, and after her report on a forgotten Riverine community in Rivers State that needs urgent help, the state government through the Local Government visited the community and gave some succor to residents.

Her works have appeared in Premium Times, NewsWire, NGR, Nigeria Health Watch, and DeSmog, Uk.

NURUDEEN LAWAL

Nurudeen Lawal is a digital journalist passionate about fact-checking/verification journalism.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Currently, he works at NAIJ.com Media Limited (publishers of Legit.ng) as a Content Editor.

Legit.ng is Nigeria’s most visited online news media, according to the latest ranking by Alexa.

Prior to joining Legit.ng, Nurudeen worked as a Content Editor and Social Media Manager at Lantern Books, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous publisher of educational and children books.

He has attended different workshops, conferences and trainings on fact-checking, digital reporting, and so on.

ARIT EFFANGA

Arit Effanga is a Broadcaster currently working with CORETV NEWS in Abuja, Nigeria. A stable advocate of media influence as an active agent of change within society, and passionate about human rights, Arit has for over a decade driven her passion for Reporting, Presentation and Production by collaborating with fellow journalists, private and public organisations to investigate and report on issues of poverty, deprivation and corruption in Nigeria.

Her reports on challenges of maternal healthcare in Nigeria’s Internally Displaced Persons camps have helped in improved access to healthcare by women and children within these camps.

Aside from being a passionate media personality, always up for a challenge, Arit is not afraid to dive into new ventures or interests, thriving on new challenges.

NELLY KALU

Nelly is a journalist with a ten-year experience spanning broadcast, digital and media advocacy. Her work spotlights social, political, and economic issues. In her time on radio and television with NigeriaInfo FM and News Central Television, she was known to have tough conversations on under-reported issues. While working with RNW Media, The Netherlands, she served as moderator of the Love Matters Naija online advocacy platform focused on LGBTQ rights, sexual health, safe sex practices and informed choices.

As a Broadcasting trainer, Nelly has facilitated media training for several institutes such as the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Training School (FRCN), PROemcess and the Broadcast Radio Master Class (BRMC) amongst others.

Nelly is currently a featured writer at NewsWireNGR.