The Nation Dominates NMMA Night With Seven Prestigious Awards

Journalists from the organisation demonstrated strong competitiveness at the prestigious media event, earning runner-up positions in several award categories. Editor Adeniyi Adesina finished as first runner-up in the Editor of the Year category, while the newspaper also made the final shortlist for Newspaper of the Year.

A major highlight for The Nation was the stellar performance of Assistant News Editor on the Weekend Desk, Innocent Duru, who won the Cecil King Memorial Prize for Print Journalist of the Year. His award-winning report focused on the traumatic experiences of Cameroonian refugees living in Nigeria. Duru further distinguished himself by clinching the Gani Fawehinmi Prize for Human Rights Reporter of the Year for his investigative report on a family’s struggle following a deadly encounter involving NDLEA officials.

Duru also emerged runner-up in the Notore Chemical Prize for Environment Reporter of the Year, a category in which Alao Abiodun of The Nation was also a finalist. Both journalists were equally recognised as runners-up in the Keystone Bank Prize for Corporate Social Responsibility Reporter of the Year. In addition, Duru and Assistant Business Editor Collins Nweze secured runner-up positions in the Union Bank Prize for Banking and Finance Reporter of the Year.

Further reinforcing his strong showing, Duru reached the final stages of several other categories, including Newspaper Reporter of the Year, Newspaper Features Writer of the Year and Education Reporter of the Year.

Serial award winner Chikodi Okereocha claimed the Peter Odili Prize for Power Reporter of the Year, while Deputy Editor Dr Emmanuel Oladesu won the Lateef Jakande Prize for Political Reporter of the Year. Oladesu was also first runner-up in the Foreign News Reporter of the Year category, where Weekend Desk journalist Gboyega Alaka was among the finalists.

Taiwo Alimi added to The Nation’s medal haul by winning the 9Mobile Prize for Most Innovative Reporter of the Year and finishing runner-up in the Sports Reporting category.

Agriculture Reporter Justina Asishana won the Bukola Saraki Prize for Agriculture Reporter of the Year for her report on the challenges faced by physically challenged farmers in Niger State. Emma Elekwa also placed as runner-up in the same category for his report on the impact of erratic power supply on poultry businesses in Anambra.

Head of Business on the Weekend Desk, Ibrahim Yusuf, won the Coca-Cola Nigeria Prize for Brand and Marketing Reporter of the Year, while maritime correspondent Kemi Dauda emerged runner-up in the Nigerian Ports Authority Prize for Maritime Reporter of the Year. Aviation correspondent Kelvin Osa Okunbor also received two nominations in the Aviation Industry Reporter of the Year category.

The Nation’s cartoonists, Muyiwa Adetula and Solomon Victor Izekor, finished as runners-up in the Nnamdi Azikiwe Prize for Cartoonist of the Year. In the Editorial Writing category, the newspaper’s editorial titled “Scam on seven floors,” published on December 30, 2024, placed as runner-up.

In the overall awards, The Punch edged The Nation for Newspaper of the Year, with The Guardian also shortlisted. The Punch equally claimed the Editor of the Year award, where Adesina finished as first runner-up.

Speaking at the event, NMMA Trustee and Chairman of the Eminent Panel of Assessors, Dele Adetiba, disclosed that about 800 entries published or broadcast in 2024 were received, noting that winners were required to score at least 70 per cent. He added that efforts were underway to digitise the submission process to replace the current hardcopy system.

Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, urged the media to sustain its watchdog role by holding government accountable, particularly in monitoring the effective use of public funds.

Also speaking, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, represented by Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, assured media practitioners of the Federal Government’s commitment to press freedom, reaffirming that policies guaranteeing a free and independent press would continue to be supported.