A Night for Icons: WSCIJ honours Ofeimun, Salami, Journalists at 20th anniversary awards

Femi Fabunmi

The 20th Anniversary celebration of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) opened with powerful messages from Founder WSCIJ  and Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, and the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, who jointly emphasised the urgent need for journalism to evolve in defence of truth and accountability.

Speaking at the landmark anniversary ceremony and award presentation held at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, Olorunyomi reaffirmed WSCIJ’s mission to strengthen investigative reporting and uphold democratic values.

He praised the resilience of Nigerian journalists operating under difficult conditions, while urging the media to remain unwavering in exposing wrongdoing and amplifying the voices of the vulnerable.

In his goodwill message, Deelen commended the Centre for sustaining professionalism and ethical standards for 20 years.

He noted that audience behaviour has changed drastically, with modern readers consuming information in shorter forms, and called on journalists to adapt without compromising factual accuracy.

“People now read in snippets, but truth must still be communicated rigorously,” he said. He warned against misinformation, emphasising that investigative journalists are “not police officers but truth seekers who help society understand facts.”

With those strong statements setting the tone, the evening unfolded into a celebration of accountability journalism, human rights advocacy and exceptional reporting.

Ofeimun, Salami Take Centre Stage

Poet and public intellectual, Odia Ofeimun, received the Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence for his decades of contribution to journalism, literature and civic leadership. Kunle Ajibade, Executive Director, TheNEWS/PMNEWS, delivered a rousing speech detailing Ofeimun’s influence across media and literary spaces.

Moments later, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka presented the award and shared personal reflections about his long-standing relationship with Ofeimun, recalling moments of activism and artistic collaboration that drew admiration from the audience.

Justice Ayo Salami, former President of the Court of Appeal, was honoured with the Human Rights Defender Award. Receiving on his behalf, his representative conveyed appreciation for the recognition, describing Salami as a lifelong advocate of judicial independence, rule of law and ethical service.

2025 Award Winners Announced

From 184 entries submitted nationwide, 14 finalists emerged, with winners chosen in five categories:

Online: Theophilus Adedokun – National Accord

Story: Dangote in quest for cheap energy pumps poison into Benue River

Television: Muslim Muhammed Yusuf – Daily Trust

Story: Inside Abuja’s drug problem

Print: Afeez Hanafi

Story: Journalist secures two jobs with Oluyole certificate

Photo: Elliot Ovadje

Story: Rivers community falls into ruins

Cartoon: Gross Dereliction – The Will Newspaper

No winner emerged in the Radio category.

Winners will receive plaques, financial rewards and an all-expense-paid international study fellowship, joining the roll of exceptional investigative reporters honoured over the years.

Two Decades of Accountability Journalism

Chair of the 2025 judges board, Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, revealed that although 180 entries were received, the screening produced 129 valid submissions from which finalists and winners were selected.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the AIM Conference themed WSCIJ@20 – Investigative reporting and the future of truth. Eight thought leaders and two keynote speakers explored emerging threats to journalism, misinformation, shrinking civic spaces and technology-driven newsroom transformation.

Since inception in 2005, WSCIJ’s award has produced 130 finalists, 13 Investigative Journalists of the Year, and over 30 honorary awardees.

As celebration gave way to reflection, the Centre reaffirmed its founding purpose supporting journalists to investigate wrongdoing, defending citizens’ rights, and sustaining democracy.

With the words of Olorunyomi and Deelen echoing through the hall, the night ended on an optimistic note: the future of journalism may be changing, but truth remains non-negotiable.