The Solutions Journalism West Africa Fellowship (SoJo), has announced its latest cohort of six outstanding recipients, recognising individuals who are poised to make significant contributions to social justice and continental development in the region. Among the honorees is Ousman A. Marong, the General Manager of the privately-owned Niumi FM radio in rural Gambia (Essau). Marong, a prominent advocate for irregular migration routes and youth empowerment in the Gambia. This fellowship aims to support innovative projects that address pressing social issues, providing the selected fellows with resources, mentorship, and a platform to amplify their impact. The announcement underscores a growing commitment to fostering leadership and positive change in West African communities, with the fellows ready to undertake initiatives that elevate marginalised voices and foster sustainable solutions.
Reacting to the achievement, the astute journalist said, “his selection really means a lot to him, and that he is encouraged to push harder for a Journalism of necessity.”
Marong recently started his online specialised program in Migration Studies with the Global Migration Media Academy in Geneva, Switzerland.
To his fellow journalist, he said: “Let’s be encouraged to go info international prestigious awards including other journalism-related activities to do journalism that uplifts us to do journalism that benefits the world at large. I hope to find out solutions to the Gambia’s media problems upon the completion of my course in Nigeria”
He indicated the urgent need for state institutions including the US Embassy Office including other UN, bodies in the country to start decentralising media benefits and not to just limit it to the Greater Banjul Area (GBA), journalists adding that a lot of things are happening in the provincial Gambia that need urgent media popularisation.
According to him, responsible journalists are born to make society liveable.
In conclusion, Marong expressed his profound gratitude to the Solutions Journalism West Africa Fellowship for selecting him and the studies that lie ahead of him during his 4-month stay in Nigeria.
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