LG Funds: UNILAG Sets For DevReporting Documentary Premiere, Foundation Launch

The awareness for a landmark 3-in-1 event by DevReporting, a media platform focused on data-driven reporting across Africa, has kicked off at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Nigeria.

The event is according to a statement by DevReporting, slated for Thursday, October 29 at UNILAG, to spotlight local governance accountability and push the frontiers of development journalism in Nigeria.

“It will feature the premiere of the investigative documentary titled ‘LG Billions in the Dark’; the formal launch of the Development Reporting Africa Foundation, DRAF, and a strategic fundraising drive,” the statement read.

Ahead of the event, DevReporting’s management team led by Managing Editor Christiana Alabi-Akande and Associate Editor Samson Ademola paid a courtesy visit to UNILAG management on Monday to unveil the initiative and seek partnership.

Alabi-Akande expressed gratitude to the university for hosting the event, describing it as a major step toward strengthening gown and town collaboration.

“We are deeply grateful for the university’s support and partnership, aimed at enhancing gown and town collaborations,” she said.

The documentary, ‘LG Billions in the Dark’, is an explosive investigation into local government administration in Osun State, South-West Nigeria, using the state as a case study for nationwide failures in public finance management, service delivery and civic accountability.

“Our intention is not only to tell the story of Osun State, but also to stimulate a broader national conversation about the state of local governance and the need for citizens and institutions to demand accountability,” Alabi-Akande explained.

The project is executed in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID, through its Local Media Sustainability Fund, LMSF, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

Associate Editor Ademola said UNILAG was chosen as flagship venue because students must be at the heart of the accountability conversation. “Empirical evidence suggests that local governments do not receive as much attention as federal and state governments. Despite being closest to citizens, many remain unaware of local governance activities,” he noted.

Receiving the delegation, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola commended DevReporting for championing constructive journalism that confronts challenges while keeping a positive narrative.

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“As a country, we need to change the narrative and talk about a nation striving to survive and develop, keeping the perspective positive while confronting our challenges. This is the type of journalism we need as an institution to work with, and we look forward to DRAF and the documentary screening,” Ogunsola said, as she was joined by top principal officers including Deputy VCs Prof. Muyiwa Falaiye, Prof. Afolabi Lesi, Prof. Mathew Ilori, Registrar Victoria Wickliffe and other directors.

NOP NIGERIA