Featured Member for the Month – Veronica Dan-Ikpoyi | Penplusbytes | Leader in promotion of effective governance using new digital technologies in Africa

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Veronica Dan-Ikpoyi is a seasoned journalist with TVC Communications who has over a decade of experience and is a highly passionate media professional. She is also a media trainer, whose wealth of experience has impacted several journalists from various trainings she has been a part of.

“Growing up, I wasn’t certain that storytelling was involved. I was simply fascinated to hear journalists on the radio speak because I adore their tones. That inspired me to enter the journalism field,” stated Dan-Ikpoyi. “But after I started working in media, I realized there was more I could do.”

She started out in radio before quickly switching to TV because it was more her style. Dan-Ikpoyi soon developed a passion for telling stories and realized there were undiscovered tales all around her.

She is passionate about telling stories and having conversations that help shape the Nigerian narrative. Dan-Ikpoyi was a finalist for the 2016 CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year.

Dan-Ikpoyi is currently one of the hosts of the TVC Breakfast show, where she interviews Nigerian leaders and specialists to convey the nation’s daily headlines. She nevertheless ventures out into the field whenever she has the chance to share the tales she believes need to be told

For TVC News in 2016, Dan-Ikpoyi covered female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria. Her narrative combined facts and in-depth interviews to demonstrate the cultural importance and harmful effects of FGM. The story ultimately won her international recognition after she was selected as a finalist for the CNN African Multichoice Journalist of the Year, an opportunity she found through IJNet.

As part of the opportunity, Dan-Ikpoyi travelled to South Africa with the other finalists. She said, “I’ll always remember that encounter. I got to meet colleagues who were in the field doing so much vital work, and it was a life-changing event.”

Dan-Ikpoyi sees a drastic change in the media landscape in Nigeria but not at the rate she anticipated as compared to the pace of industrialized nations.

Dan-Ikpoyi advised aspiring journalist to take their personal development seriously as it is a key to succeeding in the field.

Source: IJNET

Established on the 18th of July 2001, Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.

Vision:

To be the leading institution for promoting effective governance using technology in Africa.

Mission:

Promoting effective governance by deploying technology that enhances participation.

Strategy:

Penplusbytes is in the process of developing a new strategic plan through multi stakeholder engagements which has the following as objectives; leveraging technology & knowledge to enhance good governance, enabling the media, civil society and other stakeholders to use new digital tools and innovations, building a vibrant community of technology savvy advocates of good governance among others.

Values:

The values and guiding principles that are promoted and staff of Penplusbytes must epitomise includes:

PROFESSIONALISM: We are committed to excellence in providing the best possible services to our clients in a responsive and non-partisan way. We favour a collaborative approach in order to achieve sustainable results and added value.
INGENUITY: We seek and embrace new approaches for service delivery and strive to develop innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by our clients, while leveraging the experience, expertise and creativity of our staff and partners.
VALUING PEOPLE: We are respectful and fair with our colleagues, clients and partners while recognizing the importance of diversity and open communication.
HIGH STANDARDS: We aim for excellence in service delivery and in all the work that we or our partners commit to do. We constantly apply new learning to the way we do things and apply resources to achieving outstanding results every time.
TRANSPARENCY: We are transparent and accountable in the work that we do, applying the highest level of integrity and trust in dealing with all of our partners and clients. We accept individual and team responsibility for our actions and for the results of our projects and programs.
Promoting media pluralism and good governance in Africa using new digital technologies.