Nigeria’s Adesewa Olofinko has emerged as one of the Twenty (20) outstanding media fellows selected for the 2nd cohort of the African Union (AU) Media Fellowship Programme (AUMF).
The AUMF, a prestigious initiative by the African Union Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), is dedicated to reshaping the African narrative and promoting developmental journalism through innovative storytelling.
Adesewa Olofinko, a creative storyteller and journalist holds certifications from the renowned RNTC Media Training Centre in the Netherlands, specializing in media campaigns for social change and digital strategies to combat disinformation and hate speech.
Ms. Olofinko is the founder and editor of Blackladywriter.com, a digital platform dedicated to highlighting social inequalities and redefining notions of feminism within the African diaspora.
Her professional journey has included pivotal roles such as presenter and producer on Television, Radio, and Producer and Line Producer at the EbonyLife Creative Academy in Lagos.
Ms. Leslie Richer, the African Union Director for Information and Communication, welcomed the new fellows with enthusiasm, commending their unique skills and visionary ideas.
She emphasized the vibrancy and potential within Africa’s media landscape, ready to be harnessed and elevated to global prominence.
The AU Media Fellowship Programme aligns with the AU’s commitment to using media as a tool to highlight the milestones of Agenda 2063.
Dr. Tobias Thiel, Country Director of the Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Liaison Office to The African Union, expressed Germany’s continued support for the program, recognizing its success in empowering African media professionals.
Adesewa Olofinko and her fellow fellows are set to embark on a twelve-month journey of exposure to a diverse range of networking sessions with esteemed AU organs and specialized agencies, as well as prominent African Union institutions.
Director Leslie Richer emphasized the importance of using this fellowship as a platform to promote Africa’s Agenda 2063 and tell a balanced story about Africa’s development and opportunities in the digital age.
The AU Media Fellowship Programme, implemented by the African Union Information and Communication Directorate, with the support of Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the media landscape.
Adesewa Olofinko remains an influential voice, actively promoting change and understanding through her multifaceted approach to media. Her selection as an AU Media Fellow underscores
her dedication to reshaping the narrative about Africa and her commitment to promoting developmental journalism using new and emerging technologies.
The AU Media Fellows 2023 are:
Adesewa Olofinko (Nigeria); Dámaso Nsue Eyang (Equatorial Guinea); David Casimir (Mauritius); Jacqueline Segahungu (Burundi); Jan Bornman (South Africa); Jibi Maring (South-Sudan); Joel Hevi (Togo); Keletso Thobega (Botswana); Maurice Thantan (Benin); Melissa Lemos (Mozambique); Meriyem Kokaina (Morocco); Moetasm Mohamed (Egypt); Mohamed Mohamud (Somalia); Nobantu Modise (Zambia); Prince Sankanu (Gambia); Ronald Musoke (Uganda); Tuyeimo Haidula (Namibia); Wakini Njogu (Kenya); William Kumwembe (Malawi); Yasmine Bouldjedri (Algeria).
