An investigative report published by The Liberalist has won the Alfred Opubor Next-Gen Award, organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
Published on the 19th of February, the story “Abandoned Clinics, Neglected Staff: The Grim Reality of Healthcare in Sokoto’s Remote Areas,” was authored by Shereefdeen Ahmad, a staff writer at The Liberalist, as a part of the Frontline Investigative Program, an initiative supported by the Africa Data Hub and Orodata Science.
The two-part series investigative report uncovered the deplorable condition of some primary healthcare centres in northwestern Nigeria’s Sokoto state and its dire consequences on staff members and residents.
Alfred Opubor Next-Gen Awards celebrate outstanding young journalists across Nigerian tertiary institutions who have done impactful and accountability-driven stories in the country. During the award and dinner ceremony held on Wednesday, 27th December at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Shereefdeen’s story emerged as the first-runner in the Best Health Story category.
Shereefdeen also emerged as the runner-up for the Best Environmental Story category.
Reflecting on his victory, he told The Liberalist that the award is a resounding affirmation of his commitment to excellence in journalism and a reward for the incredible work he has been doing.
“The editorial support at the organisation has contributed immensely to my growth in journalism,” he said. “This award is yet another motivation for me to continue doing impact-oriented stories.”
