ONE YOUNG LADY, THREE EXPERTS, AND A BOLD MOVE TO MAKE OPEN DATA MATTER IN IMO

 

From March 1^st to 7^th, 2025, the world celebrates Open Data Day, a week dedicated to recognizing the power of accessible information in solving global challenges.

Today in Owerri, journalists and media practitioners gathered for a transformative one-day workshop on leveraging open data for climate and agricultural reporting, giving this global occasion a special local significance.

 Behind this initiative is Harriet Ijeomah,a passionate journalist in her 20s, driven by a love for development and social change storytelling.

This passion led her to establish Harsco Medicomm, a media platform dedicated to development and solution-based journalism.

With support from the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) and DATAOPIAN, she brought together data experts and media professionals for an eye-opening session on how open data can revolutionize climate and agricultural reporting.

The training kicked off with Mr. Udochukwu Chukwu, a research and data expert, who shed light on journalism's role in open data.

According to him, understanding and utilizing open data is essential for holding governments and corporations accountable.

He emphasized that data can expose environmental negligence, such as the poor waste disposal system in Imo State, which he described as mere "waste disposal, not waste management."

"Municipal waste, if properly managed, can serve as an organic resource for plant growth" he noted.

 However, plastic waste remains a pressing issue. Market spaces are overflowing with unchecked plastic waste, posing a serious climate threat.

 Journalists, he stressed, must leverage open data to report on these environmental hazards and advocate for policies that promote sustainability.

 Udochukwu also shared a striking example of how data-driven journalism can uncover corporate greed.

 He referenced "The Toxic Truth", a report by Dimpicks and Amnesty International, which exposed a company that dumped toxic waste in the middle of the sea in Ivory Coast after refining dirty petroleum products. The fallout was disastrous, contaminated food and water led to a public health crisis.

Closer to home, the Niger Delta serves as a grim reminder of how data manipulation can oppress communities.

 The oil-producing region has suffered from severe pollution, yet official reports often downplay the environmental damage. “Climate change is human-induced,” Udochukwu emphasized. “Every action we take affects our environment.”

The session took a deep dive into the practical aspects of data-driven journalism with Chinedu Hardy Nwadike, an open data analyst.

Hardy tackled a major misconception:

the idea that open data is difficult to access. "Data is available, but the real challenge is finding and using it," he explained.

As journalists, he advised, collaboration is key. While government agencies may withhold official data, there is a wealth of information hidden in everyday conversations with market women, street vendors, and local farmers.

These sources hold valuable "unwritten data" that can provide crucial insights into environmental and agricultural trends.

For journalists looking to break into data storytelling, Hardy outlined a simple formula:

Find the data – Whether from public reports, interviews, or real-world observations.

Analyze the data – Look beyond numbers; understand the trends and their implications.

Visualize the data – Present it in a way that makes sense to your audience.

The final session featured Adanna Ononiwu,  a Tech enthusia and founder of Inspiration for Technology, who delivered a compelling talk on the importance of personal branding and development opportunities for journalists.

"Your digital bio is your first impression," she said. "People will form opinions about you based on how you present yourself online."

 Adanna urged journalists to take social media engagement seriously. Even if a post gets no likes or comments, consistent engagement builds credibility over time.

 LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms are powerful networking tools, sometimes, the best career opportunities come from the most unexpected places.

 She also emphasized the importance of:

Creating a niche – Specialize in a specific beat (e.g., climate journalism, agricultural reporting).

Continuous learning – Attend workshops, enroll in training programs, and stay updated on industry trends.

Multilingual skills – Learning a second language like Hausa or Yoruba can expand a journalist’s reach and storytelling ability.

As the workshop came to a close, one thing was clear, this wasn’t just another training session, it was the start of a movement.

Journalists left with a renewed perspective on the power of open data, equipped with practical tools to uncover environmental and agricultural stories that matter.

This initiative is just one of many steps needed to position Imo State as a thriving hub for quality journalism.

With the right resources, training, and collaboration, journalists can drive impactful storytelling, hold institutions accountable, and push for real change in society.

If today's event is any indication, the future of data-driven journalism in Imo looks brighter than ever.

Blessing Iriaka for Timeoutwithbliss Blog