The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has paid tribute to remarkable individuals dedicated to upholding truth, justice and freedom at the recently celebrated 2024 Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards.
The President of NUJ, Dr. Chris Isiguzo, highlighted the pivotal role played by Nigerian journalists, depicting them as unsung heroes and guardians of truth and liberty. He also noted that their steadfastness against tyranny and oppression serves as a beacon of hope, championing the noble causes of justice and human rights.
The event held in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, served as a platform to honour journalists and advocates who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to press freedom, recognising its indispensable connection to good governance and the preservation of democracy.
Isiguzo underscored the awards as a tangible manifestation of the Union’s unwavering dedication to fostering good governance and ensuring leaders are held accountable.
Emphasising that press freedom is not merely a privilege but an inherent right and essential component of a democratic society, Isiguzo reaffirmed NUJ’s commitment to safeguarding this fundamental freedom, acknowledging its pivotal role in sustaining the nation’s democracy.
“Press freedom is not just a constitutional provision; it is the very heartbeat of democracy. It is the bedrock of transparency, accountability and social justice,” Isiguzo added. “Without a free and independent press, democracy withers, starved of the oxygen of information and debate.”
“It is the sacred duty of the press to shine a light in the darkest corners, to hold the powerful to account, and to amplify the voices of the marginalised and oppressed.”
In a keynote presentation on the Nexus Between Press Freedom And Good Governance, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Hon. Rotimi Akeem, Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the media has a crucial role in checking the excesses of those in government.
‘Investigate and Expose Corruption’
The Speaker charged journalists to leverage and be courageous to investigate and expose corruption, abuse of power, and other malpractices within the government, by acting as checks to governmental power, to help prevent authoritarianism and promote adherence to the rule of law, to safeguard democratic principles.
“In upholding the principles of press freedom as journalists, you are expected to set agenda for government, act as watchdogs and guardians of the well-being of the people and good governance and to enhance your aptitude for investigative journalism,” Tajudeen said.
“You are under obligation to constantly mirror and evaluate the activities of government and its agencies towards ensuring the protection of the social and economic rights of the citizens and to impact government to drive national development.”
Good Governance
The Speaker emphasised the imperative for Media Practitioners to harness the principle of press freedom in advocating for good governance from the government, by upholding high standards of professionalism and adhering to ethical codes in their reports, analyses, and commentaries.
This is to safeguard citizens trust and confidence by shunning sectionalism, speculative journalism, misinformation, disinformation, fake news and all forms of inducements which negate national interests.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, represented by the State Commissioner of Information and Internal Security Prof. Usman Tar, said in a goodwill message that press freedom is an important component of the Borno State strategic transformation initiative development programme.
“Press Freedom constitutes an important booster of the Building Borno Back and Better initiative. Borno State is transitioning from crisis reporting for journalists to stabilisation reporting,” Zulum said.
“In Borno State, Journalists are granted free space and access to information to carry out their duties and write stories that will enlighten society and influence public policy.”
“The State Government has given them the necessary support to carry out their duties including access to the Government House and even some outstanding Journalists have been asked to join government.”
The awards had five categories, namely; Torch Bearers of Press Freedom Awards, Defender of Press Freedom Awards, Best Investigative Reporter of the Year Award, Life Time Achievement Award and Good Governance Award.
Torch Bearers of Press Freedom
The Torch Bearers of Press Freedom Awards recognising Journalists who had faced harassment, physical injury, imprisonment or death in the line of duty was given to Edwin Philip of Breez FM Lafia Nasarawa State, Tayo Ikujunni of News Agency of Nigeria, Mustapha Bastari of Voice of America Hausa Service.
Awardees also include Gabriel Idibia of Daybreak Newspapers, Adekola Bamgbala, a Photo Journalist, Abdallah el- Kurebe of the BBC, Mohammed Haruna Salisu, Publisher, WikkiTimes and Pauline Kuje Vana of NTA, who was attacked by a mob while providing live coverage during the Maiduguri Monday Market Fire inferno in February 2023.
Best Investigative Reporter of the Year
Umar Audu of Daily Nigeria Newspaper, whose undercover report on certificate racketeering and lapses in immigration and the National Youth Service Corps leading to evolving reforms in the agencies and sector indicted, won the Anyim Ude Prize for the Best Investigative Reporter of the Year.
Mass Mobilisation
Amongst the recipients in the Good Governance “Mass Mobilisation” category was the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, whose enormous contributions to the Socio-Political and Economic Development of Nigeria through Mass Mobilisation was specifically recognised.
Other award recipients include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Abass Tajudeen PHD, Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia PHD for Good Governance in advocacy for the masses and Human Rights, Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum for Good Governance in Education.
Also, Director General of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Salihu Dembos, for Good Governance in Mass Mobilisation, Borno State Governor, Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari for Transparency in Good Governance amongst others.
Speaking on behalf of all the Awardees, the Director General Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said the awards was a call to rededication to service.
“There is no country like our own, we look forward to our media organisations to take responsibility in joining us to fight fake News and disinformation and misinformation,” Ndace said.
“I urged our colleagues, let us rededicate ourselves to the defence of our country through our story writing.Once we do that it will be easy to win the fight,” the VON DG added.
The event, tagged NUJ Press Freedom and Governance Award, honoured 18 journalists and Public Servants who have distinguished themselves in their careers.
It marked the grand culmination of events commemorating 2024 World Press Freedom Day, with the theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”.
The Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards celebrate the principle of Press Freedom, pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty while also honouring those who actively support Press Freedom and significantly contribute to the development of Nigeria.
