Celebrated undercover journalist and lawyer, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has been honoured by North Eastern University (NEU) of Gombe in a grand ceremony wherehe also conferred with the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III CFR.
The university named its newly built ultramodern multimedia studio after Anas during a one-day International Conference on Trends in Investigative Journalism in Northern Nigeria, jointly organized by WikkiTimes, NEU, and the Tiger Eye Foundation Ghana.
The Anas Aremeyaw Anas Multimedia Studio is a cutting-edge facility that seamlessly blends creativity and technology. It features advanced audio and video production zones with professional recording equipment, cameras, and green screens. The graphics, animation, and photography sections are equipped with high-performance computers and DSLR setups. The live streaming and virtual reality labs enable immersive content creation, while motion graphics tools incorporate motion capture technology for digital storytelling. Storage and backup solutions ensure data security, and ergonomic workspaces provide comfort, making the studio a hub for multimedia innovation in Gombe.
Anas, whose ground-breaking investigative work has earned him global accolades, joined a host of professors and vice-chancellors to commission the facility. He described the honour as a great step toward inspiring a new generation of fearless journalists.
“I hope to see, in the coming years, courageous journalists whose work will stand the test of time and shine a light on corruption in our society,” Anas said.
In his keynote speech, Anas stressed that journalism must serve the public good.
“There is no point in doing journalism if it does not benefit society. Our investigative journalism should be tailored toward uplifting communities and fostering development. If we fail to do this, then we have failed as journalists,” he said.
Speaking to aspiring journalists, Anas emphasized that while journalism is rewarding, it is also a tough profession, urging that, “You have to psyche yourself. It’s like a heated kitchen—if you don’t have the energy to stand the heat, you get out.”
Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III CFR, who is also the Chancellor of North-Eastern University, Gombe, highlighted the university’s achievements, describing it as a hub of academic excellence and community development.
He praised the institution for offering functional courses that equip students with practical skills, and its contributions to advancing education.
“North-Eastern University, Gombe is a source of pride to Gombe and a catalyst for growth and innovation,” the Emir remarked.
Pro- Vice Chancellor and founder of North-Eastern University, Gombe, Nigeria Dr. Sani Jauro also known as Danlawal Gombe said, he was delighted to have been part of the decision to name the studio after the celebrated journalist.
“ I have personally followed the great work of Anas and when the decision was taken to name this all important studio after him, I knew it was the beginning of great things to come, NEU is happy to name this after you for your great sacrifice to humanity” he said
Earlier, WikkiTimes Co-Publisher Ajibola Amzat revealed that since its debut in 2018, WikkiTimes faced numerous challenges, including seven lawsuits, but remains steadfast in its mission to expose corruption and hold power to account.
“We founded WikkiTimes to bring about change in Northern Nigeria,” Amzat said. “Despite legal battles and threats, we continue to hold power accountable. I call on stakeholders and the academic community to support our efforts to ensure transparency and good governance.”
Haruna Mohammed, also a co-publisher of WikkiTimes, stated in an interview that the newspaper aims to train and produce Nigeria’s finest investigative journalists.
“We are committed to nurturing fearless journalists who will hold power to account and promote developmental journalism.”
Renowned media scholar Professor Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, emphasized the need for a new generation of fearless journalists to confront Nigeria’s corruption crisis. He praised the naming of the studio after Anas as a significant step toward motivating students.
He highlighted corruption across various sectors, including education, agriculture, politics, and environmental exploitation, calling for collective efforts to address these issues.
“Corruption is a multifaceted problem that hinders our nation’s progress,” Pate said. “We must retrace our steps and change the way we operate if we are to overcome these challenges.”
Dr. Hamid Adamu Mohammed, Dean of the School of Communication, Management, and Social Sciences at NEU, underscored the importance of investigative journalism in tackling the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
“The North is grappling with numerous issues that require in-depth investigative reporting,” Dr. Hamid said. “Most investigations focus on government corruption, but other critical areas—such as the activities of clerics and traditional institutions—remain underreported.”
He also advocated for the use of local languages in investigative journalism to increase audience engagement and ensure that crucial stories resonate with the people.
Victoria Bamas, Editor at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), highlighted the need for gender mainstreaming in newsrooms.
