PUNCH Nigeria Restricted consolidated its place as Nigeria’s main media organisation on the 2024 Nigerian Media Benefit Awards, held on the MUSON Centre in Lagos on Sunday.
PUNCH journalists had been recognised in a number of sectors, together with Enterprise, Banking, Aviation, Maritime, Actual Property, and Telecommunications.
The newspaper emerged victorious with a number of wins and nominations, showcasing its dedication to impactful journalism by clinching the prize for editorial writing of the yr. It received 11 awards from numerous classes.
Among the many winners are Enterprise Editor of The PUNCH, Okechukwu Nnodim, who was awarded the Peter Odili Prize for Energy Reporter of the 12 months. His piece, “Nigerians groan in darkness regardless of energy sector privatisation, N7tn investments,” make clear the nation’s energy struggles, regardless of investments within the sector.
The Spice Editor, PUNCH Weekend Title, Oluwatofarti Ige, clinched the Olu Aboderin Prize for Leisure Reporter of the 12 months with His piece “Profitable conflict: how artists rivalries gasoline battle, increase income.”
A Senior Correspondent with PUNCH Weekend Titles, Godfrey George, made an distinctive influence by successful three main awards.
He bagged the Nigerian Ports Authority Prize for Maritime Reporter of the 12 months together with his eye-opening report, “The Forgotten 5: Households Kidnapped, Funeral Friends Wait in Useless.”
George additionally received the Aviation Trade Reporter of the 12 months for his piece, “Dangerous Voyage: Passengers Fret Over Growing Runway Slip, Crash Touchdown,” and the Nigerite Prize for Actual Property/Building Reporter of the 12 months with the entry, “Cry of the Wealthy: Luxurious Homes Flip to Rubble as Lagos Demolishes Buildings on Drainage Channels.”
Additionally, a correspondent with The PUNCH, Temitope Aina, was honoured with the Sonny Odogwu Prize for Enterprise Reporter of the 12 months for her report, “Hoodlums Flip Lords of Lagos Market, Impose Heavy Tax Burden on Petty Merchants.”
A Senior Correspondent with The PUNCH, Solomon Odeniyi, received the MTN Prize for Telecommunications Reporter of the 12 months together with his investigative piece, “Banditry: Absence of Telecoms Protection Endangers Communities.” He additionally received the Buba Marwa Prize for Defence Reporter of the 12 months together with his piece “Caught in crossfire: 426 civilians Pay lethal value as army hits improper targets.”
The PUNCH photojournalist, Ovadje Elliot, was awarded the Information Photographer of the 12 months for his photograph essay, “Foreign money Floating: Non-public Sector Backs CBN, Naira Falls to 664/$.” His visuals captured the turmoil and public response surrounding the devaluation of the naira.
Ex Puncher, Sharon Osaji clinched the Abubakar Imam Prize for the Newspaper Options Author of the 12 months with the piece “Sudden Toddler Loss of life Syndrome: Untold Tales of Infants Who Died in Their Sleep”.
Along with the winners, PUNCH journalists additionally acquired a number of nominations, underlining the newspaper’s dedication to producing high-quality journalism throughout numerous sectors.
Once more, Godfrey George was nominated for the Union Financial institution Prize for Banking and Finance Reporter of the 12 months for his impactful piece, “Financial institution Clients, Corporations Lose Billions to Nigeria’s Weak Cybersecurity.” His sharp evaluation continues to earn him accolades within the Nigerian media area.
His different nominations included Alex Ibru for Investigative Reporter of the 12 months, Olusegun Mimiko Prize for Overseas Information Reporter of the 12 months, and UBA Prize for Cash Market Reporter of the 12 months, amongst others. Collins Nweze from The Nation received the Cash Market Reporter of the 12 months. Lami Sodiq from Every day Belief received the investigative reporter of the yr.
Senior Correspondent, Uthman Salami, was nominated for the Entry Financial institution Prize for Capital Market Reporter of the 12 months, whereas Collins Nweze from The Nation received the class.
Senior Correspondent, Victor Ayeni, was shortlisted for the Etisalat Prize for Most Modern Reporter of the 12 months for his thought-provoking piece, “How Bleaching Cream Retailers Lure Blacks into Harmful Journeys. “Ayeni additionally acquired a nomination for the Olagunsoye Oyinola Prize for Tradition and Custom Reporter of the 12 months. He was additionally nominated for the Rufkatu Danjuma public well being reporter of the yr, whereas Harmless Duru of The Nation emerged because the winner for the general public well being reporter of the yr.
Different nominees from PUNCH included Popoola Adenike, nominated for the IGI Prize for Insurance coverage Reporter of the 12 months for her investigative work on pension money owed, and Janet Ogundepo, nominated for Insurance coverage Reporter of the 12 months and Setting Reporter of the 12 months for her stories on “Limitless Wait: Travails of Deceased Kinfolk Over Unpaid Pensions” and “Killer Generator Fumes Gasoline Deaths, Local weather Change as Energy Provide Worsens.” For the insurance coverage class, Afeez Hanafi of Every day Belief received the insurance coverage class.
Janet was additionally nominated for the Buba Murwa Prize for Defence Reporter of the 12 months.
Additionally, a correspondent with The PUNCH, Justice Okangba was nominated for Aviation Trade Reporter of the 12 months and Correspondent Naomi Chima was nominated for the Abubakar Imam Prize for the Newspaper Options Author of the 12 months.
One other Correspondent, Josephine Ogundeji, was nominated for Tourism Reporter of the 12 months for her piece on “Tafawa Balewa Sq.: Years After Concession, World-Class Vacationer Website Dream” whereas Harmless Duru from The Nation clinched the award. She was additionally nominated for the Nigerite Prize for Actual Property/Building Reporter of the 12 months.
A correspondent, Oludare Olawin, acquired a nomination for the Olusegun Mimiko Prize for Overseas Reporter of the 12 months for his protection of “300 Nigerians Killed in Overseas Lands, Blood Cries Endlessly for Justice.” In the meantime, Harmless Duru from The Nation bagged the award.
These nominations spotlight PUNCH’s ongoing dedication to excellence in journalism and its continued management within the Nigerian media area.
Some awards which embody the Dele Giwa Prize for the Editor of the 12 months, First Financial institution Prize for Enterprise Publication of the 12 months and the Babatunde Jose Prize for the Newspaper of the 12 months weren’t talked about on the occasion.
The NMMA Chairman, Dayo Duyile praised journalists for his or her pivotal function in selling democracy and enhancing societal requirements, stressing, “The usual of journalism has not fallen; what has fallen is the funding in media.”
In his remarks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Data and Nationwide Orientation Mohammed Idris, recommended Nigerian journalists for his or her invaluable contributions to democracy and nationwide growth.
He additionally emphasised the media’s function in selling transparency and holding governments accountable. Tinubu reaffirmed his dedication to media freedom and introduced funding for a Media and Data Literacy Institute, based mostly on the Nationwide Open College of Nigeria, to fight misinformation.
The awards and nominations additional underscore PUNCH Newspaper’s popularity for fostering journalistic excellence and supporting professionals who drive significant narratives within the Nigerian media area.