By Omotayo Toyeeb
Sobi FM’s Dare Akogun has been selected alongside 31 top journalists across West Africa for the maiden edition of the Ghana Journalists for Environment, Science, Health & Agriculture (GJESHA), The North Journal (TNJ) Biodiversity Training Series, an initiative aimed at strengthening biodiversity reporting on the continent.
The journalism capacity-building programme, jointly organised by the Centre for Climate Change & Food Security (CCCFS) and The North Journals (TNJ), attracted over 100 applications from across the West African subregion.
Akogun’s selection followed a rigorous, merit-based process that prioritised storytelling ability, professionalism, and a strong commitment to biodiversity and environmental journalism.
Akogun, a renowned environmental journalist and broadcaster, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the training will further strengthen his capacity to tell compelling biodiversity stories that reflect the realities of communities in Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.
The six-week virtual training, themed “Biodiversity Matters: How Africa’s Stories Can Shape a Sustainable Future”, is scheduled to be held from July 11 to August 15, 2025.
Sessions will run weekly and feature biodiversity and media experts from Africa and beyond, including Dr. Vibha Varshney, Head of the Biodiversity and Food Unit at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India.
Participants will receive training on topics such as Biodiversity Reporting Essentials, Climate-Biodiversity Linkages, Data-Driven Storytelling, Investigative Tools, Solutions Journalism, and Ethics.
The training will include hands-on assignments and culminate in a capstone project, where journalists will develop and publish impactful biodiversity stories.
At the end of the programme, the organizers will officially launch WAJESHA, the West Africa Journalists for Environment, Science, Health & Agriculture – a regional network of trained journalists committed to advancing biodiversity conservation, environmental justice, and climate action across West Africa.
Full list of the 31 outstanding candidates who will participate in the impactful training programme.
1. Elvis GOUZA – Linfodrome.com – Côte d’Ivoire
2. Janefrances Chibundu – TheCable – Nigeria
3. Essa Lowe – EL1tv – The Gambia
4. Randohle Abonzan – Agro TV – Côte d’Ivoire
5. Alassane DIÉDHIOU – Voix du Sud – Senegal
6. Dare Akogun – Sobi FM – Nigeria
7. Amidou DJO-OURO – Radio ZigFM – Senegal
8. Tokpa M Tarnue – Liberia Broadcasting System – Liberia
9. Nukanah Kollie – The Liberian Investigator – Liberia
10. Adama Makasuba – Gambiana – The Gambia
11. Usman Muhammad Salihu – Aminci Times – Nigeria
12. Mustapha Jarju – THD TV – The Gambia
13. Mansa Moussa Mara – Universciences – Guinea
14. Michaella Faith Wright – The Fatu Network – The Gambia
15. Ibrahim Babangida Lawal – The North Journals – Nigeria
16. Kamal Ololade Ahmed – The Shield Online – Nigeria
17. Mohamed Slem Camara – Kankan24.com – Guinea
18. Towfik Mohammed – ChannelOne TV – Ghana
19. Ibrahim Hassan Hassan – PRNigeria – Nigeria
20. Bill Williams Cooper – The Inquirer Newspaper – Liberia
21. Rubensia Merdius Eurydice Ayabavi CODJOVI – Terre et Femme – Benin
22. Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus – News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) – Nigeria
23. Isatou Keita – Alkamba Times – The Gambia
24. Hadiza Musa Yusuf – Prime Time News – Nigeria
25. Olive IDOHOU – Terre et Femme – Benin
26. Zainab Yetunde Adam – SMK Radio 96.5 FM – Nigeria
27. D Laymah E Kollie – Women’s TV – Liberia
28. Kennedy Zongbil – Freelance Journalist – Ghana
29. Davida Spaine-Solomon – Rise Radio 96.3 FM – Sierra Leone
30. Sheku Desmond – Student Journalist – Sierra Leone
31. Fadilatu Ahmed Tijani – Environmentalist – Ghana