ICIR’s fintech cyberbullying report wins at 2022 WAMECA Awards

A JOURNALIST at the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Amos Abba, has emerged the winner of the 2022 West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA) held on Saturday in Accra, Ghana.

WAMECA aims to recognize exceptional journalists and promote media excellence in the sub-region.

Abba won in the Telecommunications and ICT category for its report on How fintech loan sharks in Nigeria are cyberbullying, trapping customers in debt.

The investigation revealed that many fintech organizations in the country violated regulations governing financial institutions and used crude methods to force back loans from their customers.

The theme of the event was, Media and women’s empowerment in Africa.

“I am delighted that my contribution was considered for the awards. The hard work and support I received The ICIR made this possible, and for that I am grateful, said Abba.

Other Nigerian journalists recognized at the event include Olatunji Ololade of The Nation, who won in the Human Rights category; Oladeinde Adewoyin, Premium Times, winner of the Business Reporting category and Adeola Oladipupo, a freelance journalist in Nigeria, who bagged the anti-corruption category.

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A journalist with The Punch, Tessy Igomu, who won the environment category, also emerged as the West African Journalist of the Year.

Managing editor at ICIR Ajibola Amzat said the organization was committed to writing more reports that hold power to account.

“We are very pleased that our colleagues and the entire media industry in West Africa are beginning to see the values ​​and ethics that shape our work at ICIR. We appreciate this recognition and will continue to produce more impactful reports that hold leaders accountable .

“Ultimately our goal is to see that the citizens of Nigeria and indeed Africa continue to have access to information that can help them hold their leaders to account for matters that affect their lives. That is the commitment we bring to our work every day, he said.

Four reports published by ICIR was among the 25 finalists who were nominated in eight countries.

ICIR shortlisted journalists include investigative director Olugbenga Adanikin and investigative reporter Amos Abba. A former deputy editor Odinaka Anudu and former investigative reporter Niyi Oyedeji were also nominated.

In 2021, a report funded by ICIRwritten by a former journalist with the organization Samad Uthman emerged as the overall winner of the WAMECA awards.