The General Manager of Niumi FM, a privately-owned radio station based in Essau, rural Gambia, Ousman A. Marong has been named among several journalists selected for the Solutions Journalism West Africa Fellowship (SoJo).
Marong, a respected journalist and outspoken advocate on issues surrounding irregular migration and youth empowerment, joins a distinguished lineup of fellows recognized for their commitment to impactful storytelling and community development.
The fellowship, designed to support innovative journalism projects tackling pressing social challenges, offers recipients access to resources, mentorship, and a platform to amplify underrepresented voices while fostering sustainable solutions.
Reacting to his selection, Marong said the recognition was deeply meaningful, describing it as a strong encouragement to continue championing “journalism of necessity”, a mission to inform, uplift, and inspire communities through responsible reporting.
Marong is currently undertaking an online specialization in Migration Studies with the Global Migration Media Academy in Geneva, Switzerland. His commitment to professional growth reflects his broader aspiration to identify and address challenges facing The Gambia’s media landscape.
Encouraging fellow journalists to pursue international honors and meaningful journalism initiatives, he remarked,
“Let’s be motivated to enter prestigious international awards and journalism-related programs that empower us and benefit the global community. I hope to discover solutions to the Gambia’s media issues following my course in Nigeria,” he said, encouraging fellow journalists to pursue international honors and meaningful journalism initiatives.
He also called on international and national stakeholders including the US Embassy and UN agencies operating in The Gambia to decentralize media support, noting that much of the attention remains concentrated within the Greater Banjul Area (GBA). Marong emphasized that vital developments in rural regions deserve greater media visibility, saying: “Responsible journalists are born to make society liveable.”
He, also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Solutions Journalism West Africa Fellowship for the opportunity, looking ahead to the four-month residency in Nigeria and the impact his work will have during and beyond the program.