Violet Ikong of Prime Progress, Kemi Busari of Premium Times, Zainab Bala of the Scoop Story Telling Initiative and Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim, a freelance journalist, have been nominated as finalists in the solutions journalism category of the BudgIT Active Citizens Awards.
BudgIT, a foremost civic-tech organisation championing the advocacy for accountability, transparency, and effective service delivery in Nigeria, is set to host the second edition of the Active Citizens Awards.
This year’s award is themed ‘Trailblazers of Change: Pioneering Solutions, Shaping the Future,’ and is scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The awards will feature thirteen categories.
Speaking on her nominations, Ikong said she is excited about the nomination as it is a confirmation of the work she has put into reporting on solutions.
“I’m excited because I began my journey in solutions journalism with Prime Progress. That’s where I got the training and the knowledge. All the things I have learned about solutions journalism wouldn’t have been possible without Prime Progress,” she expressed.
Solutions Journalism is a rigorous form of reporting that amplifies how individuals and initiatives are responding to social problems.
According to Violet, this form of journalism gives her the privilege to report stories that will keep the government, policy, and decision-makers on their toes.
“Solutions Journalism allows me to tell stories about problems and then also move away from the problems while highlighting efforts that are made to fix these problems,” she said.
With the Active Citizens Award, BudgIT recognises championed causes and programs that have directly improved civic engagement, social equity, freedom of speech, and human rights.
