Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has named Bashir Bello as its January 2017 ‘Journalist of the Month’.
A statement on the Organisation’s website http://amdf-centre.org/bashir-bello-is-amdf-journalist-of-the-month-2/ has described Bello as an award winning journalist based in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, who has won several awards including, ‘Courage In Journalism Award’ and ‘Community Service Award’.
It states that Bello began his journalism career in 2009 with the New Nigerian Newspapers, a famous northern Nigeria news organisation.
“I came into the Journalism profession in 2007 as an intern – I was to do the one year mandatory internship required of polytechnic students in Nigerian system.
“After the internship in the Editorial Department, I decided to stay back for another one year voluntary service, this later made the organisation to employ me,” Bello told AMDF.
Salary issues and series of strike actions that lasted over a year made Bello to move on. “I moved to freelance for the Guardian Newspapers, City Source News, A-Z Newspapers and now Nigerian Pilot newspaper as Kaduna State Corresponden,” AMDF quoted Bello.
In 2016, he founded NEWS EQUAL (newsequal.com.ng), an online news platform which focuses on development, investigations, and advocacy journalism.
According to AMDF, “Bello is a team member of five Development and Investigative Reporters in Nigeria. Some of their stories have brought change and interventions to the people and society.
“The team did a story on a community called, Anguwan Kanti, where it showcased challenges faced by the community. The story led to the construction of the first Sand Dam in West Africa in Anguwan Kanti community to address water challenges.”
Bello has attended several journalism trainings organised and sponsored by both local and International organisations.
“My story won’t be complete without sharing my experience about people I met in the profession and people I look up to as Mentors. Among them Ismail Omipidan, Tony Akowe, and Iliya Kure.” Bello said.
Bello holds HND in Mass Communication from Kaduna Polytechnic Nigeria.
