Nigerian Breweries Plc over the weekend recognized six journalists who distinguished themselves at its 9th edition of the Golden Pen Awards.
The awards ceremony, which took place at the Zinnia Hall of Eko Hotels & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, was witnessed by personalities across media, corporate organisations, political and social circles.
While addressing guests at the well-attended event, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Johan Doyer, explained why the theme of this year’s awards was changed from “Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development,” which was the focus for the past three years.
Mr. Doyer said the theme was rejigged to focus attention on “Agriculture, Local Sourcing and Industrial Development” to align with Nigeria’s current push for economic recovery and growth.
Doyer also acknowledged the role of the media in the successes recorded over the last nine years with the Award and thanked the panel of judges who rigorously analysed the entries for originality, credibility and factuality.
“It is our hope and expectations that the media will draw attention to the sections of the economy to agriculture; it is important to acknowledge the role of the media in national development,” Doyer said.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs. Yetunde Odejaye, commended the efforts of the Nigerian Plc for sustaining the project.
The Deputy Governor who said the award would go a long way to promote objective reporting of news in Nigeria as well as project the Nigerian media as patriotic institution, lauded the media for supporting the initiative.
Editor-in- Chief of the defunct Newswatch Magazine and Chairman of May Five Publications, Mr. Ray Ekpu, who was the guest speaker, thanked the organisers of the awards for investing in the media industry in Nigeria and urged journalists to bridge the gap between training and practice.
Mr. Ekpu pointed out that before crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity in 1958, agriculture was the main stay of the economy that produced food and prosperity for the nation.
He condemned the subsequent neglect of agriculture by various governments, saying it had led to food insecurity.
He challenged the press to wake up and support the effort to domesticate the Nigerian economy by promoting what was produced in the country.
He maintained that Nigerian Breweries had set a worthy example on how to grow local industry and agriculture and enjoined other corporate organisations to follow suit.
The Golden Pen awards, which has become a reference point in the Nigerian Media industry was inaugurated by Nigerian Breweries Plc to promote professionalism and objective reportage of events in Nigeria, organisers said.
It was also meant to reward professionals who abide by the fine ethics of the journalism profession.
According to the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, the company chose “Agriculture, Local Sourcing and Industrial Development,” as the theme for this year’s edition to help direct attention towards the potential of the country to become a self-reliant and prosperous nation.
“As the agenda setters, we believe that the media has a vital role to play in directing the attention of key stakeholders to the role that agriculture, local sourcing and industrial development can play towards the nation’s economic recovery. We are of the opinion that given the huge natural resource potential of our country, it is vital to drive backward integration with a focus on these areas to make our country prosperous,” Mr. Ekanem said.
According to organisers, over 250 entries were received when submission closed for this year’s award, which focused on published reports on Agriculture, Local Sourcing and Industrial Development in 2016.
At the ceremony, journalists who distinguished themselves in those subject areas were rewarded in three categories, namely “The Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Reporter of the Year,” the “Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Photojournalist of the Year,” and the “Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Report of the Year.”
The “Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Report of the Year” was reserved for reports on Nigerian Breweries and its brands throughout the preceding year, officials explained.
Isioma Madike of New Telegraph Newspaper emerged as the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year, Arukaino Umukoro of The Punchreturned as the first runner-up, while Caleb Ojewale of Businessdayemerged as the second runner-up.
The Photo Journalist of the Year award went to Olatunji Obasa of The Punch Newspaper, while Suleiman Hussaini of New Telegraph emerged as the first runner-up, and Toluwani Eniola of The Punch Newspaper was the second runner-up.
Mojeed Alabi, a reporter with New Telegraph Newspaper won the “NB Report of the Year.”
All winners also got cash prizes, work tools and special NB Golden Pen Award statuette as part of the reward package.
