3 Nigerians win CNN Multichoice African Journalist awards
Three Nigerian journalists have won in various categories at this year’s CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the year award ceremony which was held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
They were Yemisi Akinbobola and Ogechi Ekeanyanwu of Premium Times who were joint winners of the CNN Multichoice African Journalist Sport Reporting Award with Paul Bradshaw. Their story titled: ‘Follow the Money: Who extracts the value of Nigerian footballers’ was about the plight of aspiring footballers in Nigeria, who become victims of unscrupulous agents who exploit them with the promises of brilliant future careers in Europe, but then abandon them, left to fend for themselves in foreign lands.
The other was Nigerian freelance journalist for African Media Initiative, Kenya; Chika Oduah, won the ‘Dow Technology & Innovation Reporting Award’ for the report titled ‘The App That Saved 1,000 Children’.
Some other Nigerian writers that received commendations at the ceremony were Adedayo Eriye Oketola of Saturday Punch in the ‘GE Energy & Infrastructure Award’ category; Folashade Adebayo of The Punch in the ‘Dow Technology & Innovation Reporting Award’ category and TVC News Africa’s Veronica Onuchi in the ‘Health & Medical Award’ category.
This year’s grand winners were Asha Ahmed Mwilu and Rashid Idi who were awarded the top prize at this year’s Ceremony.
The pair shared the overall ‘CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year’ Award for their combined work ‘Terror Crossing’ which was chosen from record number of 1,637 entries spanning 38 countries across the African continent.
Mwilu and Idi’s ‘Terror Crossing’ is an in-depth investigative documentary about security at the Kenya-Somali border in Mandera county. The story was aired by Kenya Television Network in its investigative programme, “The Lead”.
Mwilu and Idi said: “We are overwhelmed by this accolade. It is a dream come true to win the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award for a story that we believe passionately in and one that we felt was important to tell.”
CEO of M-Net, Yolisa Phahle, and Content Sales and Partnerships, CNN International, Greg Beitchman, VP presented Mwilu and Idi with the Award at a Gala Awards ceremony held at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mwilu and Idi, winners in the News Impact Award, were among 38 finalists from 15 countries who attended the Awards ceremony as the culmination of an all-expense paid four-day programme of workshops, media forums and networking in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Beitchman, said: “Quality journalism has shone through once again at this year’s CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards. Congratulations to all of tonight’s finalists and winners, especially to overall winners Asha Ahmed Mwilu and Rashid Idi for their powerful reporting. We look forward to welcoming them at the CNN Journalism Fellowship in Atlanta.”
Meanwhile, CEO, MultiChoice Africa, Tim Jacobs, said: “Congratulations to all the winners! Your unique way of storytelling has captured the hearts and minds of all Africans and those beyond our borders. The Awards have not only had a profound effect on the African media landscape but have catapulted winners into senior positions and success. As MultiChoice Africa we remain committed to recognising excellence in journalism throughout Africa. We applaud all the finalists and winners for continuing to tell Africa’s stories and contributing to Africa’s growth and success.”
The competition was supported by a range of prestigious sponsors including Dow, Ecobank, GE,IPP Media and the World Health Organisation.
All finalists received both a cash prize and tablet, with the overall winner receiving a further cash prize and the opportunity to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.
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