Abdulrasaq Kamaldeen reports
The Centre for Journalists Innovation and Development (CJID) has shortlisted Abdullateef Abdullahi, Editor-In-Chief of The News Digest Press and Hussain Wahab, The president of the National Association of Campus journalism (NACJ) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto for the 2024 UDEME U-Monitors cohort.
UDEME is an accountability project established by the Centre of Journalists and Innovation Development (CJID)
to monitor, track down a source, report on public accountability and procurement issues across the nation.
Following the selection, the shortlisted students will be having a two-day boarding session on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April, where they will learn new skills and tools for in-depth analysis, original research and reporting on public accountability and procurement issues.
In an interview with The NEWS DIGEST PRESS, Abdullateef Abdullahi, a 400-level Education Biology student and News Digest Editor-In-Chief, expressed his excitement over the selection.
His words: “I am happy about the selection, though last year, I was one of the selected people too but I was later laid off after the review for over selection of trackers from Sokoto State.”
“My selection doesn’t mean the project I pitched is stronger than other people’s pitch or I am better than others. I only see this as luck.”
In an interview with Hussain Wahab, a 500-level law student and the NACJ president, he expressed his feeling toward the selection.
“Alhamdulillahi, I feel great.
It’s a challenge; an opportunity to do more,he said.
“ I encourage colleagues and students to always look for opportunities. I have previously missed some other opportunities as a result of procrastination.”
“ I implore others to always exploit opportunities as rejection is better than not to try it,” he added.