By Magdalene Ukuedojor
Stakeholders at the Solutions Journalism Africa Summit held in Abuja have rated Nigerian journalists high on community-driven solutions reportage across the country.
The summit with the theme “Reframing Africa’s Narratives through Solutions-Focused Storytelling” brought together reporters and change makers on the continent to showcase initiatives driven by solutions-focused reportage.
Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch and host of the summit, said since 2020, solutions journalism stories have reshaped the way news is reported in many newsrooms.
Ihekweazu said her organisation had trained and supported more than 30 media organisations on Solutions Journalism across the six geo-political zones of the country, spanning print, radio and television outfits.
“With over 500 solutions journalism (SoJo) stories recorded since we started, we see that a lot of things are working, communities are taking up roles to address those problems.
“Communities, individuals and organisations are finding solutions and this is giving people inspiration of solving problems.
“It is also a way of lesson sharing, of giving people inspiration that there are ways of solving problems.
“Mentoring more than 1,000 journalists, we are reporting on what is really working and see that communities are taking it on themselves to solve problems,” she said.
Similarly, the Director of Partnership and Fellowships, Solutions Journalism Network, Nina Fasciaux, commended Nigeria and other African countries for the uptake of solutions journalism.
“The spread went beyond our expectations; you have all my admiration and gratitude because everywhere around the world people are trying to fix their problems.
“I am pleased to say that our partners – Nigeria Health Watch and Science Africa in Nairobi have done the extraordinary work of introducing and spreading solutions journalism in Africa.
“There is no place in the world that I can tell the practice is taking root more widely and with more enthusiasm and commitment than in Nigeria and the four East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania,” she said.
Other stakeholders from beacon newsrooms, community radio and the print media shared their experiences recounting how the spread of constructive journalism has impacted their drive for positive, uplifting reports.
Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), one of the pioneer newsrooms trained on solutions journalism, said the agency has entirely incorporated solutions-driven reports in its operations.
Ali, who was represented by Malam Ismail Abdulaziz, Head of NAN Multimedia and Solutions Journalism, called for increased partnership in deepening the practice in Nigeria.
“With the wide reach of NAN, we now have SoJo converts and SoJo advocates in our offices across the country.
“Our stories do not just highlight crisis as the mainstream media does, but showcase the solutions proffered in different parts and states of the country.
“Collaborations in information and content sharing, fact checking and cross-border interactions are needed to grow solutions journalism,” he said.
Representative of the Gates Foundation, Fatimah Alkali, and other media partners also highlighted the impact of constructive journalism in their spheres, urging more alliances to bring more African countries on board. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
