Investigative Journalism Identified as Panacea for Bad Governance in Nigeria

By Jennifer John

Investigative journalism has been identified as a panacea for bad governance, especially at state and local government levels in Nigeria.

This was the unanimous agreement of stakeholders and resourced persons during a seminar on investigative journalism, organized by Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI), at Villa Gardens Hotel on Tuesday 6th September 2022.

In his welcome address, the coordinator of Ikenga media outfit, Chido Onumah said the seminar aims at fostering media independence, to enable media practitioners to be able to focus sufficient searchlight on the activities of political office holders in the South East, to promote accountability and good governance.

He said the project was part of collaborative media engagement for development in inclusivity and accountability. He also said the focus was on the small media organizations based at the state and local governments across Nigeria.

He added that the seminar was aimed at spreading the reach of the media, to ensure multiplicity of voices on issues of governance and accountability.

Resourced persons who delivered lectures during the seminar included; Former Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Imo State Police Command, S.P. Andrew Enwerem, who lectured on prioritizing safety while carrying out investigative journalism.

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State council and currently a National Trustee of the union, Chief Sir Fidel Onyeneke whose lecture focused on ethical issues in the act of investigative journalism, advised those who venture into investigative journalism to do it within the ethics and law guiding journalism profession.

The third lecture, delivered by a renowned journalist in Imo State, Mr Charles Ogugbuaja dwelt on the fundamentals of investigative reporting.

The event attracted renowned journalists in the state from different chapels and media establishments in the state.