DevReporting has selected seven journalists trained under its Local Governance Reporting Project in Osun State to advance to the reporting phase following an editorial review of their story pitches.

The journalists’ selection marked the next stage of a competitive process that began with 62 applications from journalists across Osun State.

While 23 journalists were selected to participate in an initial training designed to strengthen their skills in investigating governance and accountability issues, six pitches were selected to proceed to the reporting phase.

The virtual training focused on practical approaches to investigating local governance issues, tracking public resources, using public records, developing sources, verifying evidence and producing compelling multimedia stories.

Participants were also guided on how to develop strong story pitches with clear reporting pathways and potential accountability outcomes.

The seven journalists selected for the next phase are Sikiru Obarayese, Senior Reporter with Nigeria Tribune; Damilola Raphael, Head of Programmes at RaveFM/Western Spring Television; Florence Babasola, Osun State Correspondent at Alaroye; Adedoyin Oguntade, Reporter at DevReporting; Mattew Ogunwale, Freelance Reporter; Quadril Olayiwola, Reporter at Insights Media; and Taiwo Adeniran, Group Head of News and Current Affairs at Diamond FM.

The selected journalists will receive story grants to support logistics, fieldwork and research associated with their investigations. They will publish their stories, with editorial guidance and support from DevReporting throughout the reporting process.

Speaking on the selection, Samson Ademola, Programme Manager/Associate Editor at DevReporting, said the reporting phase would allow the selected journalists to move beyond story ideas and undertake deeper investigations into issues affecting communities.

“The training provided participants with practical tools for examining governance and accountability issues and developing stronger story ideas,” he said.

“With the selection of these six pitches, we are now moving into the reporting phase, where the journalists will receive support to investigate their approved ideas and produce evidence-based stories that can deepen public understanding and accountability in Osun State.”

About the project

The Local Governance Reporting Project is being implemented by DevReporting in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Local Media Sustainability Fund (LMSF), with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

The project seeks to strengthen public-interest journalism on local governance in Osun State by supporting journalists to investigate issues that affect citizens directly, including public service delivery, infrastructure, education, healthcare, community development and the use of public resources.