Why DAME is set to honour Babarinsa, Jimoh, Lakemfa

By Isa Isawade

Veteran journalists Dare Babarinsa and Najeem Jimoh; renowned columnist Owei Lakemfa, and twenty other outstanding journalists are to be honoured at the 34th edition of the DAME Awards coming up on Tuesday in Lagos.

The Trustees of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) announced this in a press released forwarded to PMNEWS on Friday.

According to the organisers, the 2025 presentation of the prestigious awards will feature twenty (20) prizes across reporting, commentary, and media aesthetics.

This, the Trustees said, was to continue DAME’s longstanding mission of celebrating outstanding professionalism, ethical responsibility, and
excellence in Nigerian journalism.

According to the release, “DAME will also confer Honorary Fellowships on three distinguished veterans whose careers have profoundly shaped Nigerian journalism.

“The honourees for 2025 are Najeem Jimoh, former Editor of The Punch; Dare Babarinsa, co-founder and former Executive Editor of TELL Magazine; and Owei Lakemfa, renowned columnist, labour advocate, and former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African
Trade Union Unity (OATUU).

The DAME Trustees profiled Najeem Jimoh as a pillar of the modern Nigerian newsroom who is regarded for his editorial depth, calm leadership, and deep commitment to nurturing young journalists, adding that “his tenure at The Punch left a legacy of integrity, discipline, and humility that
continues to inspire many across the industry.”

Dare Babarinsa is praised by the organisation as one of the most influential journalists and chroniclers of Nigeria’s political history.

“His illustrious career, spanning Drum, Concord, Newswatch, TELL Magazine, and Gaskiya Media has been marked by bold reporting, thoughtful analysis, and unwavering dedication to documenting national events.

“His book, ‘House of War’, remains a significant reference in contemporary Nigerian history,” the Trustees said.

Owei Lakemfa is acknowledged by the organisation for his long period of consistent and impactful column writing and courageous trade unionism.

“Owei Lakemfa, known for his decades-long columns on national and international affairs, has also distinguished himself as a courageous trade unionist and human rights defender.

“His leadership within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and later at OATUU reflects his lifelong commitment to justice, workers’ rights, and democratic governance. His voice has remained principled, consistent, and deeply impactful in Nigeria’s public conversation,” the DAME Trustees asserted.

Since its establishment in 1992, the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence have served as a benchmark for quality in the Nigerian media.

Beyond the annual awards, the DAME Trust Fund continues to invest in the future of the industry through training programmes designed
to strengthen skills, enhance ethical standards, and support the next generation of journalists.