North Eastern University (NEU), Gombe, Nigeria, has commissioned a state-of-the-art multimedia centre named after Ghana’s renowned undercover investigative journalist and lawyer, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The university unveiled the facility, named the Anas Aremeyaw Anas Multimedia Contents Creation and Innovation Centre, during a one-day International Conference on Trends in Investigative Journalism in Northern Nigeria.
The event was jointly organized by WikkiTimes, NEU, and the Tiger Eye Foundation Ghana.
The ultra-modern centre is equipped with advanced audio and video production zones, professional recording equipment, cameras, green screens, high-performance computers for graphics and animation, and DSLR setups for photography.
It also features live streaming and virtual reality labs, motion capture technology, secure data storage, and ergonomic workspaces, making it a hub for multimedia innovation in Gombe.
Anas, whose groundbreaking investigative work has earned him global recognition, joined professors and vice-chancellors to commission the facility. He described the honour as a significant step toward inspiring a new generation of fearless journalists.
“I hope to see, in the coming years, courageous journalists whose work will stand the test of time and shine a light on corruption in our society,” Anas said.
Delivering a keynote address, he underscored the essence of journalism in serving the public good.
“There is no point in doing journalism if it does not benefit society. Our investigative journalism should be tailored toward uplifting communities and fostering development. If we fail to do this, then we have failed as journalists,” he stated.
Anas also advised aspiring journalists on the challenges of the profession.
“You have to psyche yourself. It’s like a heated kitchen—if you don’t have the energy to stand the heat, you get out,” he cautioned.
WikkiTimes Co-Publisher Ajibola Amzat, speaking at the event, highlighted the struggles his media outlet has faced since its establishment in 2018, including seven lawsuits, but reiterated its commitment to exposing corruption and holding power to account.
“Despite legal battles and threats, we continue to hold power accountable. I call on stakeholders and the academic community to support our efforts to ensure transparency and good governance,” Amzat said.
Haruna Mohammed, another co-publisher of WikkiTimes, noted that the newspaper aims to train and produce Nigeria’s finest investigative journalists.
“We are committed to nurturing fearless journalists who will hold power to account and promote developmental journalism,” he stated.
Renowned media scholar and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere, Professor Umaru Pate, emphasized the need for fearless journalists to confront Nigeria’s corruption crisis.
“Corruption is a multifaceted problem that hinders our nation’s progress. We must retrace our steps and change the way we operate if we are to overcome these challenges,” Pate said.
Dr. Hamid Adamu Mohammed, Dean of the School of Communication, Management, and Social Sciences at NEU, underscored the importance of investigative journalism in addressing issues in Northern Nigeria.
“The North is grappling with numerous issues that require in-depth investigative reporting. Most investigations focus on government corruption, but other critical areas—such as the activities of clerics and traditional institutions—remain underreported,” he observed.
He also advocated for the use of local languages in investigative journalism to enhance audience engagement and ensure that crucial stories resonate with the people.
Victoria Bamas, Editor at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, called for gender mainstreaming in newsrooms, emphasizing that women’s issues are often underreported.
“Women’s voices are often marginalized in our societies. We need to amplify these voices and strive for gender balance in newsrooms to ensure that all perspectives are represented,” Bamas stated.
The commissioning of the Anas Aremeyaw Anas Multimedia Studio marks a significant milestone in investigative journalism in Northern Nigeria, providing a cutting-edge facility to train and inspire the next generation of fearless journalists.
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