IJNet Journalist of the Month: Grace Ekang
Each month, IJNet features an international journalist who exemplifies the profession and has used the site to further his or her career. If you would like to be featured, email a short bio and a paragraph about how you have used IJNet by August 20 here.
This month's journalist, Grace Ekang of Nigeria, found four fellowships through IJNet, which she said helped position her for the job she has today.
IJNet: Where are you from and where do you currently work?
Grace Ekang: I am from Akwa lbom State, in South-South Nigeria but, l was born, live, school and grew up in Rivers State also in the South-South geo-political region of Nigeria.
I am currently the bureau chief/correspondent, Niger Delta for Channels Television, in Lagos, Nigeria.
IJNet: How have you used IJNet?
GE: Through the IJNET website, I got the Foster Davis Fellowship for African Journalists in 2004, the Thomson Reuters Foundation fellowship program in 2008, The RNTC fellowship program in 20I0 and the New England Center for Investigative Reporting in 2011. This website has help re-position me for the position l am hold today.
I am also currently applying for funds to train female journalists in the region where l work in Nigeria and am on a waiting list for an upcoming fellowship program in the U.K. that I found through IJNet.
IJNet: How did you get started in journalism?
GE I was inspired by my contributions as a member of my schools club journal publication in the secondary school...I remember on several occasions l acted as news anchor while a student and my parents were very proud of me at the end of that news drama also my class mates and it became my nick name at school. I grew up wanting to be a news anchor and reporter. I made friends with very much older people both male and female who were in the broadcast media profession that l saw as my idols then.
l would always sneak out of the house to join them to work but not without the knowledge of my siblings, to know and watch what they were doing behind the cameras and microphones. Though I worked outside journalism career after l graduated from university, l started my professional journalism career some 15 years ago with a Christian newspaper called Revelation then Spiral magazine, worked part time with Tell magazine in Port Harcourt, to CTL Cable Television while here, l studied in professional journalism after l graduated in Political science majoring in public administration and now l am the Niger Delta bureau/correspondent for Channels Television, Lagos, Nigeria. l believe that l will anchor the news someday.
IJNet: How do you get ideas for stories?
GE: I believe that our daily lives and activities alone are enough stories. I take time out to sit where there are a lot of stories being told like the pub, and read daily papers (for) news that needs a follow-up, search websites of organizations where I have had my internships, I also sort news on IJNet bulletins especially if it’s a research report like what am working on now. I also use social network media sites and compare them to the context of our national similar issues.
The environment where l live and grow up is enough story of its own and has a lot of human interest stories -- from poverty, health, to any form of environmental reports -- which has made international headlines for decade.
IJNet: What is your proudest work/story so far?
GE: My proudest work so far is the upcoming training program l have designed for female journalists in the region where l lived and work to impart what l have learned in partnership with some of the schools l have trained.
In story and my work as a reporter, it's a political report on a governor in the Niger Delta who was stoned by irate youths while he was making a public speech to welcome the Nigerian president. The youths said they were not satisfied with his administration. Doing a follow up report on that, they later apologized to the governor and promised to dialogue with the government instead of violence.
It was my best because government-owned media were unable to air that report because the governor was currently in office. Though a live broadcast of the event was filmed by a government TV station, the transmission was quickly switched off. Meanwhile, l did on-the-spot reporting and my news editor was so pleased that we had the visuals for a repeat broadcast. Maybe, if l were in government-owned TV we would not have done that report.
IJNet: What advice would you give aspiring journalists?
I have made it a duty to professionally upgrade myself at my own expense by taking courses in every area of journalism irrespective of beats from digital video to online, print or social networks. l started from print and moved forward to magazines and now broadcast TV. Journalism is all about commitment and dedication.
It is a selfless service to your society and community. As the voice to the voiceless and as public watchdogs, the first priority for the up coming younger ones in the profession should always be putting the ethics of the profession first.
Being the fourth after the third tier of government in the societal hierarchy, journalists should be objective, transparent, honest, truthful and unbiased in order to sail to the top and carve a name for themselves. They should take time to do research for their reports it doesn’t matter how long it will take before the publication...Journalists are seen as treat to the society yet we speak for society. They should not let that discourage them; they should go for the best but, most avoid confrontational journalism this poses a very serious danger to the life of the reporter...
You can contact Grace Ekang through Linkedin or read her blog.
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congrats to grace
Just to say a big congratulation to u Grace. This an assurance that journalists from this part of the country are waking up from the shelf of contentment to braze the wave in the profession. Keep it up baby.
IKIRI, ABRAHAM JOE
You Deserve the Honour, congratulations
mma mma, right from my nursery school days, l've been told that hardwork is the vehicle to success. what more can i say about you? you have clearly demonstrated rare intelligence, dedication to your choosen career and an uncommon skills in TV reporting. I am very proud to have you as a sister and as a senior colleague. indeed, your journey to stardom have just begone. Keep the flag of uncompromising integrity, hardwork, intelligence and commitment to the journalism profession flying.
I just hope that the John Momoh -led channels television will take a look at your fast rising profile and pay what is commensurate to your experience and skills.
mma mma KUDOS as we wait for more new feathers to bright cap. Sail on my lovely sister.
EDWIN ATTEH PH, Nigeria
Bravo My sister
Keep the flag flying, all I can say. Cheers.
Zubby
Congrats Grace (From AZubuike Okeh NAN PH)
As the Secretary of your chapel, the Federated Correspondents' Chapel, NUJ, Rivers State, I must say that you have made all of us proud. Bravoo. Azu.
Grace oooo
Grace ooooooooooooooooooooooo. Congratulations. it would have been so painful if i didn't register my comment before the end of the expiration of good thing that has happened. l am proud of you. Go for more. please don't forget to send my share of the pack that goes with it. l am really really happy for you. you made me, Africa, Nigeria and the Niger Delta Region very proud. God bless you my book warm friend. Preye
kEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
it's nice to know that some of the women journalists in Nigeria are working really hard to make a name for themselves while projecting Nigerian media workers positively. Keep it up and don't rest on your oars.
Chiedozie Nzeh. (Abuja-based journalist and editor of the PeoplesPower newpaper)
Thanks
Thanks Mr Nzeh for your encouragement. l appreciate this so much. God bless you
Congratulations
Congratulations mummy wishing u d best in all ur endeavours and God bless u. John Auta
keep up the good work
You have always shown the desire to learn, and that is paying off now. Let this be an example for all those that want to excel in thier profession. keep up the good work.
Dedication
Dear sister Grace, When your testimony was shared in church l bow my head in thanksgiving to God for finding you worthy of this honour. You are a giver and God who sees in the secret knows how to reward men in the open. Your seeds are speaking for you. God is taking you to your next level in the name of Jesus. This is just the begining. the world is waiting for you. It is your reward for being dedicated to God and being consistent to Him in service with your substance. Shine on daughter of zion. Pastor James
Mummy Congrats
Mum am proud of you. l wish l can wear your shoes but unfortunately l can't because it's quite tasking. most times you are not there for me, I know that your labour shall not be in vain. God will continue to crown all your efforts with success in Jesus name. l am happy that you are my mother. My school mates are very happy with me that you are very intelligent to bag this award. God bless you Mum. I love you loads Joyce
You Merit This
You have made your family, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and indeed the whole of Africa proud. You merit this. Great girl, Great women, and a Great You. Go for more. Love You. Philippa Ekang
Restless Grace
I just saw`this on ur wall on FB. lt's not a suprise. a reward for selfless service to humanity. All the brutality from the Nigerian Police on you. lt's time for your reward. l am very proud of you and am happy to see you stay alive for this normination. you have indeed made Nigeria proud. You have made Akwa lbom and Niger Delta Proud. where next who knows. BRAVO brain girl. Mrs Olaiya
Gracious
Yes Grace you can do it because you are very hard working. No wonder your Organisation left the whole of the Niger Delta Region in your hands because you are capable of doing the job. l am very proud of you my angel. Am happy that you are doing what you know to do best. This is Total Committment Aunty Helen
Weldone
Christine Amapour of Niger Delta. Am sure Channels Television will double your job now with all the skills you have acquired. We the youths from the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria are very happy to have our own bag this wonderful award. We identify with you. WELDONE our own sister. The best is yet to come. We will have to wash this oooooooo. For: Niger Delta Youths Forum. Timi Bolo
Bravooooooo
Ma Gracy, Your stay at RNTC was not a waste. Who knows where you are going to be next. Our news crew are proud of you. all your shoutings during productions are not wasted. Now we know. BRAVO. God is not done with you yet. Please we hope your shoe will size some of us.Hard work is good.
Congrates
Aunty Grace. This to me is coming late but, l must tell you that you deserve this. When someone told me that you have been selected the journalist for this month, l was not suprise because you are very hard working. your have inspired me so much that, I pray l am like you someday. God is taking you to your place of rest.Now l believe what you always tell me to carve a name for myself than hunt for money first. I am very proud to be associated with you. You are indeed a mentor and a teacher. God bless you. CONGRATULATIONS. I am proud of you. Joy Bassey
Congratulations
Grace we the Nigeria Association of women Journalists River State Council, are celebrating you here for making us proud. On behalf of every female journalists in the Niger Delta and in Nigeria, we are proud of you. You are worth celebrating. Congratulation NAWOJ
Congratulations
Grace,
Congratulations! When are you inviting us to Nigeria?
Joe Boston University
Congratulations
Congratulations Grace and more grease to your elbow.
Maureen, Newswatch
Thanks
Thanks Maureen, am happy your are on Ijnet too. Please stay in touch. Missed you.
Grace's blog
What is happening to your blog? Looks deserted! lol.
Very nice
thanks for sharing, Grace. Very nice! Liza Gross freelance science journalist
Congrates
congrats mama Grace ooooooo
vero kwabla
Congratulations
People,
One of “ours” – of the NLNG sponsored International Training for Journalists fame – still keeps the flag flying ever higher. Grace Ekang has never looked back after her training. What’s more? She makes it a duty to stay in touch.
We congratulate you …
Ben-wari, Eva
Congratulations
Congratulations Sis Grace. I share in you joy.
August, August, August; this month of August..............................................................., I am watching with bated breath.
Debbie Eguakhide
Tumps Up
"Thumps up Grace for ijnet journalist of the month Etoro - Obong Inyang
Grace: IJNET
Really I met Grace in RNTC in teNetherands and I see that driving passion in her to maximize her potentials.
She loves the job and people.
Timothy
HAPPY FOR YOU
This is really inspiring, its indeed a testimony of commitment, hardwork, dedication and Gods grace for a journalist in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to recognised Internationally, Nigeria is really blessed to have such a great journalist and I pray she continues in this light. BRAVO!! CONGRATULATION.
Pillar Etuk pillarsfirm@gmail.com
Congrates
We are proud of her.... And, thanks, always to NLNG and to Helen and Martin... TO http://www.linkedin.com
Congratulation
very well done - and thanks for keeping in touch. Helen Scott Clear Focus Productions
this is a truly inspiring
this is a truly inspiring story. a journey full of patience, dilligence and dedication.... i hope Grace`s story will inspire many aspiring journalist.
Thanks
l am grateful to ijnet for finding my qualified to be sellected. To all my friends on facebook for your comments thanks for all your supports. without you all, it wouldn't have been possible. God bless you all
Ijnet showcaes the best
Good one Grace, all your friends in Nigeria and the Niger Delta are proud of you. Ijnet showcases the best and you are one of the best. Congratulations.
ThankS
To you all IJNET team, i say THANK YOU. A day hardly goes by without phone calls, text massages from either facebook, twitter or yahoomail from my friends across the globe. they now see the need to subscribe to IJNET. Most of them now believe me that l actually got this fellowships from the ijnet site. Thank you for helping me believe in myself that l can do it.
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