Reactions trail NatureNews’ integrity certification by JTI

By George George Idowu

Following the news break that NatureNews has emerged the first news media outlet in Nigeria to be certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), management of the African’s foremost environment newspaper has been receiving an avalanche of goodwill messages.

Recall that NatureNews had reported on Monday the historic accomplishment of its being certified by JTI, an ISO-Standard international organisation designed to provide a transparent mechanism for curbing misinformation and providing tangible rewards for ethical and professional journalism.

Here are some of the early reactions from stakeholders addressed to the publisher/editor-in-chief, Aliu Akoshile and the NatureNews team in general.

I am honestly not surprised with this achievement. It is a well-deserved certification. Since I started associating with you, I have seen your strong penchant for excellence and integrity. Please accept my congratulations on this milestone.
Alh. Balarabe Abbas Lawal Minister for Environment

Hearty congratulations on this great feat of your niche newspaper, NatureNews, emergence as the first Media Outlet in Nigeria to pass the journalism integrity audit and its subsequent certification by the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI). The University of Lagos Alumni Association is extremely proud of your achievements in the field of journalism. This is a testimony to the quality of learning you received from our Alma Mater and has continued to demonstrate in your professional calling. I am indeed grateful for your services to the Alumni Association at various levels and especially as the FCT Branch Chairman for an extended period.
Engr. IfeOluwa OYEDELE President (Worldwide), University of Lagos Alumni Association

Wow! Big CONGRATULATIONS to you and the NatureNews Team for this brilliant achievement!
Lamin Barrow, DG West African Region, African Development Bank Group

I read with joy and satisfaction, the latest height you and your team have just attained. It is, indeed, an uncommon feat. And, you have done it again. I charge you to see this latest achievement as an opportunity to keep on excelling. The sky is not your limit. I am ever proud of you. HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS.
Chief (Dr.) Fassy A.O. Yusuf Former Hon. Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Ogun State

This accomplishment stands as a powerful testament to the team’s unwavering commitment and meticulous efforts in ensuring ethical and professional journalism. It is right on the clock for NatureNews’ 4th year anniversary. Keep flying higher!
Dr. ‘Lanre Tanimola, USA based nanotech scientist and CEO, Carbonext Inc., Texas

Congratulations to the publisher and his team on this huge feat. I wish you more outstanding achievements in the near future. Keep up the good work based on integrity!
Prof. Olayide Abbas, Emeritus Professor of Computer Science, University of Lagos

Warmest congratulations to Mr. Aliu Akoshile, and the entire team of NatureNews Newspaper on achieving the prestigious Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) Global Certification for Media Integrity in less than four years since the establishment of NatureNews Newspaper. This is indeed a remarkable feat, showcasing the newspaper’s unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence, transparency, and trustworthiness.

Your dedication to upholding the highest standards of media integrity has earned you a well-deserved place among the global leaders in ethical journalism. Congratulations!
Kehinde Oyesomi, Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies. Immediate Past HoD, Mass Communication, Covenant University

Congratulations to the NatureNews team on this great feat! Keep up the good work.
Awwal Umar, Director, Public Relation Unit, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Good news! congratulations on the certification. I wish the team more achievements and elevation.
Alh. Taoheed Abdullahi, Benin City

Congratulations to the NatureNews team.
Abbas Abiri, Accountant.

Congratulations on your JTI ISO certification. I rejoice with your team on this excelling feat. May your ink never dry.
Regards.
Emeka Alejemba, Environment, Health and Safety Consultant.

Congratulations for adding yet another laurel not only to NatureNews but media industry in Nigeria. Since 1st October 2020, you have been improving the atmosphere positively because many are appreciating your good effort. You deserve more accolades as they said: “NatureNews was committed to doing journalism the professional way in spite of the macroeconomic challenges impacting the business environment,” and both myself and other do concur with such.
A. A. Sadauki, Publisher ACM

This is indeed a great landmark attainment. Congratulations to the team!
Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)

This is commendable! More feathers to NatureNews!
Mainasara Abdullahi, GM (Business), Daily Trust Newspaper

Congratulations to the NatureNews team on the JTI global certification. It is well deserved, and we expect more wins in the years ahead.
The editorial team’s dedication to nuance and balance is evident in every edition, presenting readers with a comprehensive understanding of local and global issues on the environment and climate change, among others. Well-researched features, incisive opinion pieces, and engaging commentary sections make NatureNews a must-read for those seeking informed perspectives.
Jonathan Eze, Media Consultant/Publisher Ourtimesng.com

Congratulations on this incredible achievement! It’s truly inspiring to see NatureNews making history as the first media outlet in Nigeria to pass the journalism integrity audit and be certified by the global Journalism Trust Initiative. This recognition is the result of your dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism, and it speaks volumes about the quality of work you and your team are doing.
Your hard work and commitment to excellence are evident, and this milestone is well-deserved. Wishing you and NatureNews continued success and “more ink to your pen” as you continue to lead the way in journalism!
Cheers to many more accomplishments!
Prof. Tai Balofin, USA based scholar, author, and film producer/director.

It’s a worthy development; most deserving of the huge honour. You people have done excellently well. I often wonder how you get your finances. Congratulations and greater latitude coverage to your website.
Aminu Abubakar Ibrahim, Chief Lecturer, Federal College of Education, Katsina

Wow! The entire team deserves the flowers. You have worked so diligently and professionally from the get-go. Being under the direction of a transformational leader like Alhaji Aliu Akoshile, with the support of the eggheads on the Advisory Board and the success-oriented workforce of the newspaper, it would have been a bit surprising that the endorsements have not come this soon.
The JTI rating is a big deal. Let the world know about it and savour the euphoria. In Shaa Allah NatureNews is headed for No. 1 in the world.
Congratulations again.
Aliyu Abdulkadir, Director, Corporate Services, Nigeria Society for Engineers

I sincerely and heartily congratulate the publisher and his team on the successful scaling integrity test by NatureNews and its subsequent certification by the JTI. This is no mean achievement, as it was birthed by a dint of hard work. I’m optimistic that this award signifies the beginning of such recognition and bestower of accolades on NatureNews.
Once again, congratulations.
Tijani Mohammed, Esq, Retired Federal Director, PSC

This is well-deserved!
Dr. Amarachi Paschaline, Onyena of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State