Isiaq Ibrahim reports
Abdulwasiu Olokooba, the president of National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ) in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Abdulrasheed Hammad, the vice president of the association have won a grant of $1500 (USD) to pursue stories on religious extremism for International Center For Journalists(ICFJ).
ICFJ in collaboration with Code For Africa, an International fact-checking organization in Kenya, conducted a fellowship training on religious extremism for journalists in June at Kano in which four Danfodiyo campus journalists were selected to participate.
Two— Abdulwasiu Olokooba and Abdulrasheed Hammad who are both 500-level law students— out of the four won $750 grant each to write stories on religious extremism after their pitches were selected.
According to congratulatory messages sent to the awardees, the grant will provide them with resources and support to conduct research and develop their stories.
“Congratulations! We would like to thank you for completing the course and submitting your story idea under the “In The Name Of Religion” project. We are happy to inform you that your story has been selected for a two-month facilitation grant,” the mail reads.
“This grant will provide you with resources and support to conduct research and develop your story. Additionally, you will be paired with an expert mentor who will guide you in data collection, management, and investigative research during this two-month period.”
“Kindly be informed that the two-month period for the grant will commence upon the signing of the grant agreement. Our partners from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), Aliza Appelbaum and Rebecca Blessing, have copied this email. They will be contacting you to coordinate the finalisation of the contractual and payment procedures,” it added.
While speaking with Pen Press, Abdulwasiu Olokooba said the win would serve as a motivation.
“Being selected as one of the grant awardees is truly motivating. It’s a testament to my progress. While certainty is beyond our control, I believe that my efforts in the process have made me a deserving awardee.”
“Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. Losing an opportunity does not mean you are not competent or not giving your best. It simply means you should try again,” he added.
Abdulrasheed Hammad on his own part said: “I am thrilled to be among the recipients whose story pitches were accepted by ICFJ. I express my gratitude to Almighty Allah for deeming my story idea worthy of funding.”
Adding that, “I didn’t see it coming, and it came as a pleasant surprise that makes me happy.”
Advising his fellow campus journalists, Hammad said, “Keep applying for opportunities. The time will come to reward your dedication, and you will be surprised.”