After three intensive months, the HumAngle Technology and Civic Impact Fellowship (HTCIF), cohort one has marked a significant milestone as 8 fellows drawn from various parts of the country have successfully completed the programme on Monday, November 4th, 2024.
The fellows addressed critical issues by leveraging their skills, technology, and innovation. From empowering communities and championing youth participation to addressing fake news and enhancing civic engagement, each fellow’s journey was marked by dedication, creativity, and purpose.
During the virtual closing ceremony, mentors Engr. Abubakar Sam and Johnstone Kpilaakaa, who played an integral role in guiding these fellows, shared their excitement about the next generation of changemakers in Nigeria. Engr. Sam highlighted HTCIF’s impact in nurturing future leaders, while Johnstone acknowledged that the fellowship was a mutual learning experience for him as well.
Director of HumAngle Foundation, Angela Umoru-David, thanked the mentors for their profound contribution and encouraged the fellows to utilize the knowledge and resources from the fellowship to continue empowering young people and their communities. She noted, “When we conceived this fellowship, we wanted to bolster the work that you are already doing by connecting you to one another, mentors and resources through the training you have received. All of you have been fantastic and you all have multiplied the seeds we have sown.”
Some of the fellows reflected on how the HTCIF equipped them with valuable skills and set them on a path of growth and advocacy.
“I hope to continue the fact-checking school drive because I was able to talk to only one school but the other schools are calling for me to continue. So, when schools are back in session, I will continue and of course, give credit to HumAngle Foundation for birthing the continuous process,” said Peter Onyimiebi, who lives in Bayelsa.
Dorcas Anaja, in Abuja, shared that the fellowship helped her learn more about her strengths and areas for growth. “My project showed parts of me I didn’t know. I had discussions with my mentors and I realised that I am more of a broad person, because when I had to be specific about my project, there was a problem. This fellowship helped me see that and it is something I am working on.”
Manasseh Mbachii who is stationed in Benue added, “I have never experienced a fellowship like this one; I mean the way HumAngle Foundation under its leadership hosted us and giving us the opportunity to have one-on-one sessions and then when it comes to the field work, I have never done this kind of journalism before. The fellowship gave me the opportunity to do in-depth journalism in the field of conflict reporting.”
The Fellows achieved the following:
Dorcas Anaja launched a social media awareness campaign educating citizens on their legal rights and the responsibilities of state actors, aiming to foster an informed populace.
Sunday Akinrelere empowered 103 youths in Ondo State with skills in community and media advocacy, creating community champions. His 60-day online campaign against electoral malpractice reached over 5,000 people, promoting youth engagement in the 2024 gubernatorial election.
Peter Onyimiebi initiated the “Fact-checking for Democracy and Social Change” project, training 50 university students in Yenagoa on digital literacy to combat misinformation and disinformation, and enhance civic engagement.
Manasseh Mbachii utilized multimedia storytelling and investigative journalism to document personal stories of those affected by banditry in Benue, shedding light on the human impacts of police raids.
Grace Apolos produced a documentary highlighting the complex crisis in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. Her project advocates for a cleaner, safer Niger Delta by addressing the consequences of oil exploration and corporate divestment.
Al-Amin Magaga developed “Civic Access AI” (CivicaAI), a chatbot offering accessible civic information on Nigerian laws and government policies. This tool empowers Nigerians to stay informed and engage with civic matters confidently.
Mubarak Idris conducted a virtual workshop on data storytelling for girl-child education, training 10 participants on data literacy and visualization. Most attendees found the training to be highly impactful.
Ruth Ki established a cybersecurity resource library and hosted six webinars for 20 nonprofits, equipping them with skills to safeguard their digital spaces and secure their data.
The HumAngle Technology and Civic Impact Fellowship targets journalists, activists, and civil society members with a track record of excellence, drawn from Nigeria’s 6 geopolitical zones. It follows a two-part model consisting of a multi-day, in-person training in the FCT and a 3-month post-training period with personalised mentoring to allow the fellows practicalise their learnings.
