Fellowship programmes play a significant role in shaping a nation’s education system. They provide financial support, research opportunities, and expose students and professionals to a global audience. This is what is largely lacking in Nigeria.
These programmes contribute to academic excellence, innovation, and social mobility.
Now, some Nigerian students have the opportunity to attend a fellowship programme. The Media Mentoring Initiative (MMI) is sponsoring this fellowship programme.
In a statement by the Project Coordinator, Bolanle Oluwayemi, the MMI says the announced Documentary Fellowship for Students (DFS) is themed “Promoting the Yoruba Identity through Documentaries”.
Students From Public Universities
According to the body, this immersive, three-month programme is designed for final-year students from public universities. They are students passionate about documentary filmmaking and the rich culture of Yorubaland. It began in January.
The fellowship aims to deepen the fellows’ understanding of Yoruba philosophies, governance, and way of life. It also seeks to address the critical issue of cultural and linguistic preservation in Nigeria.
By focusing on the Yoruba language and culture, MMI hopes to instill cultural pride and encourage generational socialisation.
Also, the 10 student fellows were picked from a pool of entries. Before selection, the MMI faculty reviewed their pitch documentary ideas, which themes included Yoruba fashion, festivals and cuisine.
“I was struck by how articulate the students were and how deeply concerned they were about issues like the state of Yoruba names, the loathing of Oriki, the alienation of our youth from their roots by preventing them from going to the hinterlands to fraternise,” the fellowship convener, Anikeade Funke Treasure, said in her welcome remarks in January.
The Spirit Of Fellowship
Also, she stated that some students identified issues around “the celebration of Yoruba fashion and clothing, and the desire to elevate our food and meals, among other themes”.
Also, the CEO of Mainframe Productions, a globally renowned Yoruba filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, gave the keynote at the ceremony.
According to Treasure, Kelani’s work embodies the spirit of the fellowship. According to her, this will inspire the next generation of documentary filmmakers.
Kelani had told the gathering that “the Yoruba people are known worldwide for their rich culture, profound history, and timeless traditions”.
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“Yoruba identity is a treasure that has stood the test of time”.
However, he highlighted that “with globalisation and the increasing influence of modern trends, many aspects of this heritage risk being forgotten or misunderstood”.
Meanwhile, the Media Mentoring Initiative appreciates its seed donor, the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism, and the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS) at Lagos State University for hosting the fellowship.
Media Mentoring Initiative
The Media Mentoring Initiative is powered by Illuminate Nigeria Development Network.
It is dedicated to educating, motivating, and nurturing tertiary institution students interested in documentary filmmaking.
Also, MMI focuses on Yoruba culture, documentary ethics, and the philosophies and governance of the Yoruba people.
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