Nigerian Tribune wins Editorial Writing of the Year, 3 other awards at NMMA 2017

At the 25th Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA), the Tribune once again confirmed its place as the intellectual powerhouse of the Nigerian media, carting away the prestigious Editorial Writing of the Year Award.

Editorials are the heart of newspapers.  They house the connecting valves that pump life into the organic whole.  They praiseworthy causes and put down condemnable actions, especially of public institutions and officials.  Through our editorial comments, we have repeatedly raised the bar of public discourse and commentary.

For a newspaper that will be 70 years old in two years time, winning this award is a fitting confirmation of our leadership position in the world of the newspaper press in Nigeria.  We have come a very long way fighting ills and commending goodness when found.

Hence, policymakers do not joke with the Tribune Editorial because it helps them in policy formulation and getting feedback from the populace.

Our entry, ‘The post-oil era is here,’ a richly researched comment written in the wake of the Federal Government’s latest search for oil in the North, a venture in the pursuit of which N60 billion of taxpayers’ money was allocated in the 2016 budget, was adjudged by the NMMA panel of assessors as the best editorial in Nigeria for 2016.

The editorial argues, with ample evidence from around the globe, that a future built on oil can only be a mirage.

The newspaper also won several other awards at the 2017 Nigeria Media Merit Award (NNMA), held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Group Business Editor, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, a multiple award winner, won the Coca-Cola Prize for Brand and Marketing Reporter of the Year (which was not announced) and the MTN Prize for Telecommunications Reporter of the Year, while Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, a Chief Reporter, won the Saraki Prize for Agriculture Reporter of the Year.

Rita Okonoboh was the runners-up to the Female Reporter of the Year and Education Reporter of the Year.

At the ceremony, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said his administration would continue to uphold the freedom of the press and create enabling an environment for journalists.

He highlighted the achievements of the administration and noted the commitment of the present administration to the fight against corruption.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, in his address, urged the winners to see the awards as a call to duty.

Also present were Alhaji Lateef Jakande and his wife; chairman, Board of Trustees, NNMA, Vincent Maduka; Professor Ralph Akinfeleye; Mr Yemi Akeju; Lady Cecilia Ibru; Dr Oscar Ibru; Professor Wale Omole; Chairman, Punch Newspapers, Mr Wale Aboderin; Victoria Eze Okoli; Babatunde Jose Jr.; Professor Umar Dambatta of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) was represented; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr Steve Ayorinde; Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, New Telegraph, Mrs Funke Egbemode, among others.

According to Professor Akinfeleye, the cut-off point for nominations was raised to 75 per cent from 70 per cent for 2017, in line with global standards.

Alhaji Jakande received the  Distinguished Leadership Award; Eminent Media Icon was awarded to Dr Alex Ibru; Distinguished Leadership Award went to Founder of Punch Newspapers, the late Chief Olu Aboderin, while Legendary Doyen of Nigeria Media was awarded to the late Dr Ismail Babatunde Jose.

The event was anchored by renowned comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka the first.