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 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 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.
L -R: Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President and
NicolaasVervelde , Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries at the 8th Nigerian
Breweries Golden Pen Award in Lagos Last Friday
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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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