Before the Female Reporters Leadership Programme
A correspondent with Guardian Newspaper in Rivers State, Ann Godwin covers environment, politics, health and other general beats.
As a presenter of the ‘Youths and Society’ programme on BRTV, Ann contributed to shaping discourse around youth education and development in Borno State.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Imo State University, a diploma in Theological Sciences from the Pentecostal Bible Institute, and a diploma in Applied Information Technology at WorldWide Net Computers in Rivers State. She is an alumnus of the Thomas Reuters Foundation. Ann loves teaching, learning new things, listening to people and solving problems.
After the Female Reporters Leadership Programme
Ann Godwin is a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Programme (2021), cohort.
Ms Ann Godwin is the South-South Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspaper and a first-prize winner of the prestigious FRLP leadership project award in 2021, organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
She is an alumnus of Thomson Reuters Foundation, British Council, and a fellow of African Data Hub (Orodata Science).
She emerged as the runner-up in the Print category of the 2024 prestigious Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Reporting.
Godwin has explored her investigative skills to tell stories that exposed corrupt officials, brought sanity to some institutions and attracted government attention. For instance, her recent award-winning story on the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, compelled the Federal Government to complete four oxygen manifold plants that now supply oxygen directly to 100 beds and thus, closed the extortion, theft holes.
Her community based reporting has also brought to the front burner several under reported issues in the Niger Delta region, boldened the voiceless, marginalised nd vulnerable groups, especially farmers to confront their challenges through the court and, some farmers have won their cases in some landmark judgments.
Godwin, in her reports, digs deep into how environmental pollution, poor waste management affect communities. Her reports also highlight effects of pollution on women and children while she adopts a solution journalism model as an intervention strategy.
Some of her gender based stories, training and mentoring women and girls in the region earned her an excellent award from the Advancing Women In Business (ADWIB).
Ann Godwin, with her team, have also facilitated trainings for journalism students at the Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University respectively.
Her outstanding works also earned her one of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) reputable award in 2024, the Special Recognition Award.
According to NUJ, the award is given to journalists, who consistently through their works, career, brought honour and pride to journalism profession in addition to contributing to greater good of the society.
Ann Godwin has reported issues of environmental pollution, pipeline vandalism, soot and its devastating impacts on the populace.
Her consistent reports on soot menace in Rivers State, including aggressive campaigns by residents propelled government to set up expert technical committee that recommended ways to tackle the deadly air pollution and today, the soot menace has reduced in Rivers State.
She also has a keen interest in reporting issues around climate change, flooding and follows up her reports to track impacts.
Ann Godwin works were cited in PhD and Master’s thesis by scholars at LMU Munich University, Germany and Scotland respectively as it provided valuable perspectives to their academic research.
On how the FRLP has impacted her life, Godwin said, The FRLP programme was a defining moment for her journalism career. She noted that it reset her mind, focus and dreams, which brought a phenomenal shift and visibility to her.
“The FRLP programme is the reason for where I am today. It made me believe that there is great potential in me as a female journalist, and it further ignited the fire in me towards maximising those potentials and fulfilling my purpose.
“After practising journalism as a mere routine job for about 10 years, for the first time, I had a mental shift, a mind reset that made me see the profession as a calling. My passion for impacts waxed and grew daily.
“I connected and plugged in with lessons learnt from the mentors during the training and founded the Step-Up for Women In Journalism Initiative (SWIJ), an organisation that promotes excellence among female journalists.
“Today, the team is made up of about 150 female media professionals, including young professionals, next generation journalists, practising journalists, and academics are breaking barriers and redefining journalism practice.
“Some of our members now serve as resource persons, some, their reports have put the government on their toes to provide basic needs for the people, others have received awards, both national and international, while many have become bold, speaking up at various platforms, representing the female gender.
“SWIJ, a community of female army journalists, cuts across the country. With support from our mother-hen, WSCIJ and funds from the Bill Gates foundation, we have organised trainings on digital, data, investigative, pitching and solution journalism for students of Journalism in the faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University, respectively.
“Several opportunities have also been created for our team. Impressed by our work and impact, organisations seek our partnership to implement and facilitate programmes.
“Members have also received fellowship and grant opportunities through our network. Recommendation letters are also issued to our hardworking and committed members who plan to further their education abroad.
“Above all, life after the FRLP fellowship has been very rewarding, though with greater tasks and responsibilities due to the lifting it brought to me as my management promoted me from a correspondent level to oversee the South-South Bureau. I must say, I love and appreciate journalism more after my encounter with the FRLP fellowship.
“During the fellowship, we were taught to connect as nobody grows alone. I must confess that connecting with the likes of Juliana Francis, a serial award-winning journalist and some other outstanding individuals have greatly shaped my career and added to my success stories.
“I want to encourage female journalists not to stay at the same level for long. When you see opportunities, apply, if your application is successful, go with high intentionality to learn, grow and advance, don’t end it with the cosy environment.”
Ann Godwin who have received several grants from both national and International organisations, had sponsored overseas trips, encourage journalists to build skills, knowledge and confidence and be willing to evolve.
“Create values and delist the arrival mentality, connect and learn even from young colleagues. This will help you stay on top of the curve. Results will define you, but excellence and value will distinguish you,” she added.
