DUBAWA ex-fellow, five others win CAPPA Trans Fat Journalism Fellowship

One of DUBAWA’s 2021 fact-checking fellow, Dare Akogun, has been announced as one of the winners of the Trans Fat Free Nigeria journalism fellowship.

The fellowship organised by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has five other Nigerian journalists selected alongside Mr Akogun.

The other fellows include Adesola Ikulajolu (ICIR), Temitope Bademosi (TVC), Sunday Elom (Orient Daily Newspaper), Felicia Dairo (Premium Times), and Nkoli Omhoudu (AIT).

They will form the second cohort of the fellowship which begins on April 12, 2022 with a virtual orientation.

A statement by the Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, announcing the winners, noted that the six best entries were picked by a team of senior and experienced journalists based on the quality of the presentation of pitches, the ingenuity of their ideas and the relevance of pitches to the campaign objectives.

The statement reads in part, “the purpose of the fellowship is to stimulate conversations and deep dive into key issues relating to trans-fat consumption, elimination, and the health of Nigerians.

“The fellowship will also equip the journalists with the necessary skills and access to information to aid their reporting on issues concerning trans fatty acids,” he added.

The fellowship, supported by Global Health Advocacy Incubator, GHAI, is part of CAPPA’s efforts to build the capacity of the media to report ways to eliminate trans fats from Nigeria’s food supply from an informed perspective, in line with the World Health Organisation, (WHO)’s recommended standards.

As part of the fellowship, the journalists will produce and publish in-depth pieces on trans fat; around any of trans fat content in food, trans fat and wellbeing, industry players, food labelling and regulation and distinguishing trans fat enhancing cardiovascular diseases and implications of the treatment of such in Nigeria.

The fellowship intends to build and improve public awareness on trans fats and world best practices regarding its use as well as other issues relating to it.

Working with Sobi FM, Ilorin, Mr Akogun is one of the 2021 fact-checking fellows of Dubawa.