By Justina Asishana
On the 12th June, the 1st Wakaso Award for Young Female Journalists was held and it was a success. Coming up with the idea to hold the competition was not an easy one for the organizer, Ms. Aisha Wakaso as there was uncertainty if we would get any entry from young female journalists in Niger state.
We made the call for application on the 1st of June and it closed on the 6th. We had 21 entries but only 16 met the needed criteria to be sent to our Judges. Our amazing Judges, Ms. Joke Kujenya, Mrs. Celine Galadima Moses and Saadatu Alhassan took their time to painstakingly read and deliberate on 16 articles written by amazing young female journalists in Niger state and came up with a list of winners.
This is the first initiative that would give young female journalists a platform in Niger state and it was amazing. Reading the barriers faced by these young ladies, I realized that there is a need for mentoring and role models for these young female Journalists and I am thankful that Aisha Wakaso is creating that platform in Niger state.
We are thankful to the sponsors who collaborated with us and everyone who came out to celebrate these young women who partook in the competition.
The Wakaso Award for Young Female Journalists has come to stay in Niger state. It would be an annual award to encourage young female journalists in Niger state and we hope to grow bigger and spread our tentacles wider as the year goes by.
According to Aisha Wakaso, the motivation behind organizing an essay competition for young female journalists in Niger State is to encourage and provide them with a platform to showcase their writing skills in an environment that lacks drive for self-development and growth.
“The initiative also stems from a strong desire to empower and uplift these aspiring journalists, as well as to gain insight into their challenges through their essays.
“Recognizing the unique hurdles they face in an environment with limited opportunities, the competition aims to provide a platform for young female journalists to exhibit their talents, improve their skills, and receive recognition for their work.
“By fostering a spirit of competition and promoting self-expression, the goal is to inspire and motivate these young women to pursue their passion for journalism, overcome obstacles, and contribute to the development of their community.
“Ultimately, the essay competition serves as a catalyst for change, paving the way for increased opportunities and a brighter future for young female journalists in Niger State.”
Wakaso said that organizing the essay competition is a dream come true for her, “For quite some time, I’ve contemplated how to encourage young female journalists in this male-dominated profession. I am thrilled because I have been able to make a difference and positively impact the lives of these young women. Assisting others has always brought me joy, and this endeavor has given me tremendous satisfaction. The influx of entries and the commendation we received from veteran journalists indicate that we have taken the right path.”
She avered that the next competition would be more impactful as plans are ongoing to expand its scale, “I aim to increase the prize money and seek collaborations with like-minded individuals or companies who share the same vision. By doing so, we can create a greater incentive for participation and attract a wider pool of talented young female journalists.
“By securing collaborations with well-spirited individuals or companies, we can leverage their resources, expertise, and networks to enhance the competition’s reach and impact. This will allow us to provide an even more rewarding experience for participants and further support their professional growth and development.
“I am determined to make the next essay competition a resounding success, creating an even larger platform for young female journalists to showcase their abilities and gain recognition. Together with the support of generous partners, we can foster a thriving community of aspiring journalists and contribute to a more inclusive and vibrant media landscape,” she stated.
