The Faculty of Communications, Bayero University has played host to renown international multiple award-winning undercover journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, on a Two-Day Experience Sharing Workshop on Investigative Journalism for Nigerian and Ghanaian journalists, lecturers and students of Mass Communication in universities and polytechnics.

Anas, during the opening ceremony on Thursday at the Dangote Business School (DBS) BUK, described investigative journalism as a “hot kitchen”, adding: “If you cannot have the capacity to bear the heat then you can get out of the kitchen.”

Some of Anas exploits were shown at the opening in a film/documentary which included an undercover investigation that exposed a fake doctor who operated in a village in Nigeria where many unsuspecting innocent patients lost their lives.

He said one of his partners was shot three times to death in the course of one of their numerous undercover investigations.

The award-winning Ghanaian undercover journalist advised his colleagues to utilise their investigative talents in exposing the ills in the society.

He said in 2015, his team had to investigate 140 judicial staff and 35 judges during an undercover investigation of judicial corruption in Ghana.

“Investigative journalism is a powerful weapon of fighting corruption especially in our African society.

“Public interest is key. Extreme remedy are most appropriate for extreme disease and I am ready to give that remedy,” he boldly stated to the dignitaries and participants.

Anas thanked the convener of the workshop and Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, BUK, Professor Umar Pate, for the opportunity to come and share his experiences with Nigerians on the challenges of investigative journalism.

He advocated for incorporation of investigative journalism in curriculum of tertiary institution in Africa to groom students willing to venture into undercover reporting.

The two-day workshop was supported by MacArthur Foundation.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Professor Pate, the convener of the workshop, said his quest is to make BUK first choice of every aspiring communicator in Nigeria.

He said MacArthur support also includes scholarship grants to female students and establishment of digital radio station for students to put what they learn in classrooms into practice.

The renown Nigerian communication scholar also stated that the workshop was one in the series of capacity enhancement activities on investigative journalism in the university’s Faculty of Communication.

“So far, we have organised series of lectures, workshops, curriculum review and internship activities, among others to strengthen the teaching and practice of investigative journalism as tools for fighting corruption in the country.

“The activities had begun in the last two and a half years with the support of MacArthur Foundation,” he added.

The special guest of honor and former Managing Director, Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria (FRCN), Alhaji Halilu Ahmed Getso, described fear as bane of committed drive for investigative journalism by African journalists.

“For a journalist to venture into undercover reporting, he should be courageous, fearless and honest,” he said.

Aliyu Baba Barau, moderator of the workshop, a veteran broadcaster and presenter of NTA Tuesday Live, however observed that while Anas is enjoying the full support of security agencies during the course of his undercover investigations in other countries, he wondered if same can be guaranteed on Nigerian investigative journalists who would want to venture into such selfless journalism practice.

During the question and answer session Anas while responding to a question on the source of his funding said much of the funds are from his earnings as a practising journalist.

Touching his pockets he said: “I sacrifice most of my pay from my pocket to cover for my investigations, but I am very much fulfilled each time I conclude my investigation which has taken so many bad people to jail.”

The Vice Chancellor, BUK Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Adamu Jibril Tanko, said the workshop is part of series of activities being implemented in the faculty with the support of the MacArthur Foundation which gave the university the grant to strengthen the teaching and research of investigative and data driven journalism to reduce the prevalence of corruption in the country.

The VC described Anas as a symbol of hope and integrity in Africa’s journalism who has globally earned the reputation of credible digger of facts, human rights activist, attorney at law and investigative journalist of integrity.

On day one, the morning session was chaired by Malam Ahmed Aminu, a veteran broadcast journalist who had worked alongside Alhaji Getso in Radio and Television, Kaduna, and Kano Broadcasting Corporation.

The afternoon session featured film/documentary show on investigative journalism in Africa and a discussion segment chaired by Professor ES Dandaura.

On day two, the morning session was on the experiences and challenges of investigative journalism in Africa, featuring Abdulaziz Abdulaziz of Premium Times, Damilola, Peter, Aminu and Professor Lai Oso as chairman.

Anas observed areas where female journalists can be useful in investigating “Sex for Grade” scandals in education institutions.

Mainstream investigative journalism education in Africa followed and was chaired by Dr. Gausa Ahmed, at the end of which a communiqué was to be issued.

National Ex-officio and chairman of National Conference of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), immediate past chairman of NUJ Kaduna Council, and Northern Regional Editor ofNews Expressonline, Comrade Garba Muhammad, was among participants of the workshop.

He said the interaction with erudite professors, lecturers , students from across universities and polytechnics in Nigeria, as well as other carefully selected journalists at the workshop is a unique strategy of academic contribution, mentoring and improve practitioners investigative journalism skills.

Comrade Muhammad described the convener, Prof Pate, as a great communication scholar with great initiatives that will continue to transform Nigeria’s Mass Communication practice to global standard.

He promised to brief the national leadership of NUJ with a view to organising a step-down take home from the workshop to members who have interest in investigative journalism.

•PHOTO: Famous international multiple award-winning undercover journalist , Anas Aremeyaw Anas, on a Two-Day Experience Sharing Workshop on Investigative Journalism for Nigerian and Ghanaian Journalists, Lecturers and Students of Mass Communication in Universities and Polytechnics, hosted by the Faculty of Communications, Bayero University. PHOTO: GARBA MUHAMMAD / News Express.