Moving speeches as DAME honours Babarinsa, Jimoh, Lakemfa, others at 34th award night

By Isa Isawade

The 34th edition of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja on Tuesday 25 November 2025 will be remembered for a long time by participants as speeches made at the event evoked deep thoughts as well as great nostalgia.

First was the thought-provoking opening speech of the DAME Director and veteran journalist, Mr Lanre Idowu which recaptured the glorious years of journalism practices in Nigeria and the unfortunate socio-political situation Nigeria is at the moment.

He called attention of his audience to the very pathetic situation the country has found herself whereby an overwhelming majority of the citizens wallow in abject poverty with no serious attention paid to that from the ruling class and other privileged elites.

He painfully lamented that anger and indeed hunger had taken over the land, adding that, “there is a widening gap between those who have and those who do not. There is clamour to be heard by the underprivileged and there is insufficient attention from those in privileged positions.”

Idowu decried the unprecedented insecurity across the country and regretted that the abnormal has been made to appear normal.

“Insecurity has virtually been institutionalised as a new reality in our country. Before our eyes, our values are being redefined in a manner that is depressing,” he bemoaned.

He commended the works nominated for the awards as strident voices from the media calling attention to the happenings in Nigeria.

According to him, the nominated works “call attention to a lot that is happening. In part, they make us think. In part, they make us cry.

“In part, they assure us that all is not lost. From the stolen childhood of children in conflict zones, to the scourge of child labour that turns children to family providers, from the disturbing rising statistics of out-of-school children to the unsightly conditions for learning in schools, in even supposedly urban centres, the loss of the Nigerian child is unsettling.”

He said the issues raised by the different works ranged from weak statistics about families trapped in multidimensional poverty, to the challenging reality of restricted access to quality health care and nutritious diet.

“From fascinating faith in the electoral process, which compels communities to vote a great name to exercise their civic duty, to crushing images of poverty as dividends of democracy, the country is challenged to make a quality difference in the loss, as the problems are many.

“So are thoughts, reflections, and opportunities to make a qualitative difference in the energy sector, in public attitude to safety, hygiene, the environment, and how a change of orientation in values is needed for a much-needed national rebirth.

“Some of the reports also radiate flashes of light on the heroic exploits of volunteers in crisis zones, who are struggling to make a difference by stressing that education counts. The work of the journalists as a faithful of social reality of a sentinel in the public space to watch out for our collective would often come with dire consequences. Many indeed are ready.”

His vivid and deep analysis of the state of affairs in Nigeria kept his audience spell bound with silence enveloping the hall. But, perhaps to lift his listeners’ spirit, he assured that the situation isn’t irredeemable and urged all not to despair.

“We must not give in to despair. We must dig in and rediscover our strength as a people. We must make our resilience count for the better. We must make our voices heard. We must demand a change for the better in our own collective interest,” he charged.

The veteran journalist saluted the courage and contributions of his colleagues in the industry and impressed it upon everyone that more works still needed to be done.

He congratulated the would-be award winners at the event and the three media achievers- Dare Babarinsa, Owei Lakemfa and Najeem Jimoh who afterwards became honorary fellows at the event.

Dare Babarinsa, in his remarks, briefly went down the memory lane. According to him, he got his first Journalist of The Year award in the same hall of Sheraton Hotel decades ago. He stated that dignitries at the event included former Interim President Chief Ernest Shonekan, Chief Emeka Ojukwu, Stella Obasanjo, Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Nosa Igiebor among others.

“So, this hall holds a special memory for me. Therefore, I thank Mr Lanre Idowu for being persistent in moving this awards program far better. It’s a great mark,” Babarisa said.

He dedicated his award to those he called his tutors at Newswatch- Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Muhammed. He paid tribute to the dead and quoted a saying that “in the long run, we are all dead.”

He lamented that the present isn’t the golden era of journalism, urging all to collectively bring back that golden era.

“Therefore, we have a collective duty to work for the coming again of the golden era. Part of that efforts is the effort of Mr Lanre Idowu. We’re grateful to you, Sir.” Babarinsa said.

Najeem Jimoh, who was characteristically witty in his remarks, succeeded in ridding the atmosphere in the hall of the serious mood it was after the previous speakers’ speeches. His peculiarly comic presentation of historical events made his remarks to be frequently interrupted by thunderous laughter from the audience.

Jimoh thanked Mr Idowu for honouring him once again and relived some interesting events which many of his colleagues were part of or conversant with.

“I must thank my friend Lanre, Great Akokite! He said in one of the letters he wrote me on April 30, 1986, that he recognised in me the love of the journalism profession and the country, Nigeria. I have the copy of the letter here.

“Lanre said I was suspended while I was in school at UNILAG. I was not suspended, I was expelled. I was expelled from the University of Lagos for writing a release which, according to the university authorities, set in motion a series of events within the campus. So, after some time they now said they pardoned me but instead of total pardon, they gave me one year suspension.

“They recalled me almost a few days to exams. That’s why Lanre said I was a First-Class material. I was not a First-Class material because I am not a serious student (laughter). I’m only gifted. I remember when I was in secondary school, I would come first but the principal would still write ‘He is not serious! His parents should talk to him.’ I think it’s because they always felt I could do better if I had been serious,” Jimoh narrated to an audience who could not stop laughing.

The highlight of his speech was when he dedicated his award to the due of the late media mogul and Chairman of The PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Chief Olu Aboderin and the former Chief Executive Officer of the media organization, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola.

“If I were to dedicate this award, I would have dedicated it to PUNCH Nigeria Limited. I crossed from Daily Times to PUNCH. Jimi Disu was my colleague in PUNCH. I just went there like a joke to go there and leave the second or third day. But somebody discovered me there, and that was Chief Olubunmi Aboderin. One day, the man who was the chairman of the panel that sent me out of school led a delegation to The PUNCH to see Chief Aboderin. I then took the delegation to the entrance of Chief Aboderin’s office and I ran back.

“The second day Chief Aboderin sent for me. I was the production man and any time he was coming from outside, he would come to the production desk. Other people would be running helter skelter, I would just remain in my seat feeling like ‘I am a production man, I don’t have any business with you’.

“So, when he sent for me that night, I thought he wanted to say ‘come here, se o l’agba n le ni? (Don’t you have an elder at home?’). But rather, he said they told him that whatever he wanted to write I should write it, a ha? I who came here to do I cross one I cross two! That was the beginning of my rise in The PUNCH.

“Therefore, if I were to dedicate the award, I would have dedicated it to Chief Olu Aboderin, but he has to share it with Chief Ajibola Ogunsola.

“When I joined The PUNCH, you will testify, the motto of the PUNCH is ‘A lively paper for lively mind’, and one of their selling points was the Page 3 Girl. I was the one who turned The PUNCH to a serious paper for serious mind. And if The PUNCH won editorial opinion award, then I was one of the architects. From August to December 1983, we were writing front-page editorials that people would photocopy and be selling in Lagos streets. Those were the prelude to the exit of Shehu Shagari on Dec 31, 1983. Before then, PUNCH was writing about three paragraphs of editorial but when I became editor we started writing long editorials,” Jimoh narrated.

The DAME Director, Mr Idowu also announced the passing of five illustrious awardees of DAME. First was a creative consultant and longstanding DAME judge, Joseph Agboola (Ssygala) who died in May 2025; former editor-in-chief of Concord Newspapers and a DAME Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Dr Doyin Abiola who died on 5 August 2025; former associate editor of The Nation and DAME ambassador, Evelyn Osagie, died on 17 August 2025; DAME Lifetime Achiever and former director general of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Dr Christopher Kolade, died on 8 October 2025, and DAME Lifetime Achievement recipient and former editor-in-chief of Newswatch, Dan Agbese, who passed on November 17, 2025. Idowu ordered the gathering to observe a minute silence in honour of the departed.

Brief Information about the award winners is as follows.

HONORARY FELLOW
1. Dare Babarinsa, a veteran journalist, prose stylist and a columnist of note, is Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). He has been a reporter, an editor, a columnist and author. He was born on 9 May 1955 in Oke-Mesi, Ekiti State. He is a 1981 graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. He is the author of House of War, a thoroughly researched account of power tussles in the Second Republic of Nigeria. He also published Eat Now, Pay Later and Nigeria and the Pascal Question. He’s honoured for his journalistic achievements and for serving as a thought leader who has continued to guide the public on issues of national importance through his writings. “His experience highlights the strength of historical perspective, ethical reporting and mentorship in surmounting challenges.”

2. Owei Lakemfa, a prolific columnist, public intellectual and Labour leader, is a 1982 graduate of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). According to DAME Trustees, Lakemfa was honoured “in recognition of a distinguished career defined by courage, integrity and unwavering commitment to the ideals of ethical journalism. We honour Owei Lakemfa not only for his professional accomplishments, but for his steadfast commitment to justice, truth and the empowerment of the Nigerian journalist. His legacy continues to inspire generations of writers, activists, and media professionals.”

3. Najeem Jimoh, a former student union leader, journalist of note, former editor of The PUNCH and Executive Vice Chairman of FM93.7, is a 1978 graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in the Second-Class Upper division. He was said to have missed the First-Class narrowly due to his suspension for a year by the school authorities for campus unionism. He earned his M.Sc. in Political Science from the same university. As a journalist he has traversed both print and electronic media. He attained his editorial zenith when he enhanced the tone of editorial coverage of The PUNCH between 1986 and 1988. According to the DAME Board of Trustees, “Najeem Jimoh is a good representation of how a Nigerian journalist has transformed the face of Nigerian journalism as an activist to multimedia leadership. Born on 14 Sept.1952, the legacy of Alhaji Jimoh is mentorship and ethics. A fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, he continues to support capacity development in the media. He has a simple attitude to life, shaped by his religious persuasion. According to him, Allah’s grace is supposed to flow as if the entire humanity is a relay race. ‘Once you receive His favours, share with others.’”

Performance award winners are:

CHILD-FRIENDLY PHOTOGRAPHY: Temitope Aina
EDUCATION REPORTING: Omolabake Fasogbon
EDITORIA WRITING: The PUNCH
HEARLTH REPORTING: Sodiq Ojuroungbe
BEST DESIGNED MEDIA WEBSITE: The Guardian
SPORTS REPORTING: Peter Akinbo
NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY: Ellliot Ovadje
BEST DESIGNED NEWSPAPER: Daily Trust
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: Abdulrasheed Hammad
JUDICIAL REPORTING: Victor Ayeni
ENERGY REPORTING: Chikodi Okereocha
CHILD-FRIENDLY REPORTING: Rakiya A. Muhammsd
LAGOS REPORTING: Johnson Idowu
SOLID MINERALS REPORTING: Folashade Ogunrinde
INFORMED COMMENTARY: Abimbola Adelakun
TELEVISION REPORTING: Veronica Dan-Ikpoyi
NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR: The PUNCH
EDITOR OF THE YEAR: Tunji Abioye