20th September, 2010
Senatorial aspirant in Ekiti Central District, Ekiti State, South West Nigeria, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu; the Editorial Board Chairman of The Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Reuben Abati and 14 other journalists were at the weekend honoured for their outstanding contributions to the media industry and the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Media Friends (NMF) which honoured the 16 accomplished journalists at the Sheraton Hotel and Suites, Ikeja, Lagos, South West Nigeria, disclosed that they were selected among 1, 000 applicants.
The applicants, NMF said, were practicing or former editors who had spent a minimum of 10 years in the journalism profession in the country.
Apart from Abati and Ojudu, the Managing Editor of TheNEWS and P.M.NEWS (now on leave of absence to pursue his senatorial ambition in Ekiti State ), other honorees included; Mr. Emeka Oparah, Head Corporate Communications, Zain Nigeria; Mrs. Tosin Dokpesi, Managing Director Africa Independent Television (AIT), Mr. Nathan Egba, Commissioner of Information and Communications in Bayelsa State; Mr. Akin Adeoya, CEO, M2 Magazine; Mr. Mike Effiong, Editor Ovation International; Mr. Ranti Akerele, Commissioner for Information and Communications in Ondo State; Ms. Funmi Iyanda, CEO Ignite Media.
Also honoured were Mr. Tokunbo Modupe, CEO TPT International; Mr. Bode Opeseitan, Director, Special Promotions Globacom; Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Commissioner for Information and Commuications in Rivers State; Mr. Declan Okpaleke, Editor-in-Chief News Digest; Ms. Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Editor Saturday Thisday, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, Special Adviser, Media to the Senate President and Mr. Cyril Stober of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
NMF Chairman, Mr. Chris Kehinde Nwandu, said that the award aims at recognising outstanding journalists who are often not recognised by the Nigerian government.
“If they don’t want to recognise us, we are going to recognise ourselves,†he said.
The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalist who was represented by Mr. Ayo Adebayo wondered why the Nigerian government has failed to recognise journalists such as Ojudu and Abati who have accomplished so much for the progress and stability of Nigeria.
“We don’t recognise our own. That is why we are finding it difficult to bag national awards. We want to congratulate Babafemi Ojudu. He was among the people who put their lives on the line for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.
“We wish you God’s support and we see you as an agent of change. We want to see you as our representative at the National Assembly,†the NUJ President said.
The Head of Service in Ondo State, Mr. Ajose Kudehinbu, who represented Governor Olusegun Mimiko, while congratulating the organisers of the award for their foresight, also charged journalists to always strive for excellence.
He said that Ondo State will continue to partner with the media for a better society.
—Simon Ateba