Two Members from the Icons Organization Selected for the 2025 CNN Academy Program

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By Oyinlade Adeyemi 
Two members of the Icons Organization have been chosen to participate in the esteemed CNN Academy 2025 program. Ajibola Sinmisola Mercy and Theophilus Awotunde both received congratulatory emails notifying them of their selection.

CNN Academy is a global training initiative for young and aspiring journalists, aimed at honing their skills and knowledge to excel in the field. It presents a great opportunity for anyone looking to build a career in journalism.

Ajibola Sinmisola discovered the CNN Academy through Adedoyin Oguntade, the Editor-in-Chief of Icons. "He shared the application link with me, and I was immediately drawn to the programme because of its aim and initiative," she said. For Theophilus Awotunde, he stumbled upon it randomly on Instagram, along with two other individuals who also shared the information with him on the same day.


The CNN Academy selected them for the programme "Voices from the South." Theophilus, a young journalist and storyteller from Lagos, Nigeria, is passionate about reporting important stories, amplifying unheard voices, and holding systems accountable.

In addition to the excitement of being selected, they expressed their hopes regarding what they aim to gain from the training. Sinmisola views the Academy as a chance to enhance her reporting and journalism skills while also networking for personal growth. On the other hand, Theophilus aspires to improve his storytelling abilities, refine his skills, and discover methods to report stories that delve deeper than surface headlines. He also seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the issues he covers and to connect with fellow journalists from the Global South.

CNN Academy is significant because it unites individuals who are reporting important, authentic stories within their communities. It helps bridge the gap in global journalism and offers opportunities for diverse voices. This particular programme especially amplifies the perspectives of people from the South.

Both participants are currently in phase one of the programme. This phase involves online training, during which they complete a series of intensive courses hosted on the CNN Academy Hub. Each month, they gain access to new modules covering topics such as ethical journalism, independent journalism, global health reporting, and much more. At the end of this phase, they will be required to submit a story pitch that reflects what they have learned.

Ajibola Sinmisola expressed her enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, "I believe this experience will be invaluable. I anticipate it will help me develop my skills and build my network while shaping my career goals in journalism." On the other hand, Theophilus believes this opportunity will help him become more grounded, courageous, and intentional as a journalist. He said, "I hope to tell stories that spark conversations and, hopefully, lead to solutions. The CNN Academy opportunity will leave a lasting imprint on my career."

 

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