Blogs | ICFJ - International Center for Journalists

Mar 72012

How Health Coverage Helped Warn of Deadly Lassa Fever in Nigeria

Too often health reporting in Nigeria comes as an after-thought, when journalists offer up impersonal statistics, usually death tolls, of a tragedy that could have been prevented, or at least reduced. But during a recent outbreak of the highly contagious lassa fever, I saw an opportunity for my team of health reporters at the Daily Trust to do something different. What we did prompted government action—and saved lives.

Jan 102012

Christmas Day Bombings in Nigeria: How Violence Hampers Efforts to Expand Health Coverage

by Sunday Dare

It’s almost nine months into my fellowship in Nigeria, yet it seems like there is still so much to be done. Achieving more in the remaining few months will be less of a challenge if the country can find a way to better manage the snowballing religious and political crises. The Islamist terror group Boko Haram claims credit for much of the violence – and has not let up.

Aug 222011

A Health Section Debuts in Nigerian Newspaper

by Sunday Dare

Fourteen weeks after I began my fellowship at the Daily Trust in Abuja, Nigeria, a new health section called Health Insight debuted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. The launch of the new section, which is one of the two major components of my fellowship, was made possible through the support of the Daily Trust senior editorial staff, but more importantly, the seven journalists on the new health team I am building.

Jul 222011

Health Reporting in Nigeria is on the Rise, With a Long Way to Go

by Sunday Dare

It’s been almost three months since I arrived here in Abuja to commence my Knight Fellowship and so much has happened with lots still lined up for the coming months and weeks. My decision to visit several newsrooms and some of my former colleagues who are now senior or managing editors -- seated often behind expensive and expansive mahogany desks -- gave me a good idea about where health journalism is headed in Nigeria.