...As Nigerian Breweries
Rewards Media Excellence At 8thgolden Pen Award
Nigerian
Breweries Plc rewarded media excellence and outstanding journalism practice at
the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award which took place in Lagos last weekend.
The award which
is the 8th in the series is aimed at promoting professionalism
and objective reportage of events in Nigeria. It is also meant to reward such
journalists who abide by the fine ethics of the journalism profession.
The event
attracted dignitaries from the nation’s media, political and social circles
including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Abia
State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, among others, who came to celebrate
journalists that submitted outstanding reports on Education, Youth Empowerment
and Talent Development in 2015.
The night of
glitz and glamour saw Tobi Aworinde of The Punch Newspaper emerge as the NB
Golden Pen Reporter of the Year. The first runner-up was Gbenga Salau of
The Guardian Newspaper, while Charles Abah, also of The Punch emerged as the
second runner-up.
The Photo
Journalist of the Year award went to Sodiq Adelakun of The Punch
Newspaper. Odutayo Odusanya also of The Punch emerged as the first
runner-up, while Ayodele Ojo of The Sun Newspaper was the second runner-up.
Gabriel Dike, an education reporter with The Sun Newspaper won the ‘NB Report
of the Year’.
All the winning
journalists also got cash prizes and high-end mobile devices as part of the
reward package.
While welcoming
guests at the event, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr.
Nicolaas Vervelde disclosed that the award was launched eight years ago to
promote professionalism and objectivity of media reports. He explained that the
choice of Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development as the focus of
this year’s edition, like in the last two years, is hinged on the fact that no
country can lay claim to development and prosperity without adequate attention
to the education and empowerment of the youth.
Deputy Senate
President, Ike Ekweremadu who was present at the event, praised Nigerian
Breweries for sustaining the award over eight years and saluted the courage of
journalists for their contribution to the nation’s development. He appealed to
the media to continue to be the watchdog and gatekeeper of the nation’s
democracy.
John Momoh, Chairman/CEO, Channels Television, guest speaker at
the event, called for soul-searching by the media and extolled them to bridge
the gap between training and practice.
Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Managing Director of Tanus Communications and
Chairman of the Panel of Judges commended Nigerian Breweries for the initiative
and enjoined journalists to aspire to the highest standards.
Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries
Plc, disclosed that a total of 267 entries were received when submission closed
for the award. He explained that the award criteria of quality, professionalism
and objectivity remain the filters upon which entries were shortlisted for the
award, as decided by the independent judging panel.
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