Nigeria’s Solomon Odeniyi shines at ECOWAS media awards

A senior correspondent with The PUNCH, Solomon Odeniyi has emerged as one of the top winners at the prestigious ECOWAS Excellence Awards for Journalists.

The ceremony was held on Friday, July 25, in Banjul, The Gambia.

Odeniyi clinched second place in the Print category with his incisive piece titled “Concerns over relevance of ECOWAS Court as member nations disregard judgments”, which interrogates the increasing disregard for rulings of the ECOWAS Court of Justice by member states and the existential threat this poses to the regional justice system.

His recognition came alongside that of four other Nigerian journalists who were honoured across different categories, a strong showing for Nigeria at this year’s regional journalism awards.

Veteran journalist and international affairs analyst, Paul Ejime, also from Nigeria, took home the top prize in the Print category with his entry titled, “ECOWAS@49: Struggling but hopeful”.

Omuar Nudiaye from Senegal secured the third spot in the same category.

In the Online category, Nigeria’s Emmanuel Ukpo ermeged winner, with Kodjo Simon Akpagana of Togo and Nigeria’s Enoch Nyayiti Raymond taking second and third place respectively.

Gambia’s Sankuleh Janko won the first position for the radio category with Ernest Agbotan and Serge Fanou from Benin, and Tiago Seide from Guinea-Bissau, all recognised in the third position.

The Television category saw Alexandria Djotan of the Republic of Benin take top honours. Marcelina Ozekhore of African Independent Television , Nigeria, secured second place.

Speaking at the award dinner, Mr. Abdoulaie Gassama, Chairman of the seven-member jury, lauded the commitment and excellence demonstrated by the winning journalists.

“We are gathered here to celebrate more than individual achievements; we are here to celebrate a shared commitment to the highest ideals of journalism — truth, clarity, integrity, and impact,” he said. “Your voices resonate with purpose, and your excellence is commendable.”

Gassama emphasized that the award entries were evaluated based on their ability to amplify underreported issues, empower communities, and contribute to a more integrated and peaceful West Africa.

In remarks delivered on behalf of the Gambia’s Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, journalists were described as “the architects of change,” whose work “elevates critical narratives and shapes a shared path toward democratic resilience.”

The ECOWAS Excellence Awards for Journalists, organized by the ECOWAS Commission, celebrates outstanding journalism that promotes regional integration, peace, and good governance.

Over 200 entries were received across the region among which now fewer than 12 journalists drawn from print, radio, television, and online platforms were honoured.

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