Phillip Anjorin, the Managing Editor of AAUA Insider, has emerged as a Writing Fellow for African Liberty alongside 29 other Africans.
African Liberty Writing Fellowship was founded in 2007 as the single project of CATO Institute and IMANI Africa which later metamorphosed to ATLAS Network. The writing fellowship is an arena for young African people to promote the peace and freedom of Africa and Africans at large.
The fellowship is designed to empower young Africans to present their opinions on policies and other actions that can promote African wellbeing.
About 1,500 Africans applied for the 2021/2022 cohort, which led to the selection of 73 participants for a 5-week intensive virtual training with assessments, out of which 30 were finally selected for the fellowship.
Anjorin, who also doubles as the Vice President (Editorial) of the NUCJ AAUA chapter, explained how challenging the 5-week training was.
“The training lasted for 5 weeks. Funnily, each week was clashing with one journalistic activity or another for me. When we got to week 4, I nearly wanted to forfeit it because I was on the field as an election observer for the Ekiti guber poll. After getting to my hotel from the INEC office that night, I got to work immediately just to catch up with the deadline,” he said.
He, however, believed that the rigorous training was a good foundation for him and he is excited about the journey.
He said “One big takeaway from the training is the knowledge I got from the facilitators. The videos and recommended articles are insightful. Going forward, the training is a good foundation for me to influence public thoughts through op-eds and it’s a challenge I’m excited to face.”
African Liberty Writing Fellowship was aimed at training young individuals in writing pieces that contribute to the development of the African world while also ensuring the works of young Africans are internationally known.
Other members selected for the Fellowship are Chiamaka Adinnu, Kene Obiezu, Zoe Mebude-Steves, Arinze NWAFOR, Polycarp Ondieki, Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi, Ruth Ketty Kisuza, Faith Omoniyi, Precious Ewuji, David Adetula, Claire Mom, Moses Wekesa Wanjala, Linda Ngari, Mahmoud Elmakkawe, Tinashe Sithole, Michael Ifenaike, Oluwatobi Ojo, Benedict Ouma M, Stephen Kafeero, Etariemi Koboju, Barkhad Hassan, Olakunle Mohammed, Ridhwan Adetutu, Abdullahi, Isiaka Ubaji, Abimbola Emmanuel, Oluwabukola Adimula, Adebola Arojojoye and Muyiwa Adekojede.
Author
Agbelusi Samuel is a campus journalist, writer, red carpet host, political and sport analyst. A political science student that covers news and politics beats for AAUA INSIDER.