The publisher of Next Edition Newspaper, Mr. Ibanga Isine yesterday won the 2019 Nigerian Investigative Journalist of the Year Award instituted by the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
Besides, Isine emerged winner in the online category, with his report published in April 2019 on “How bribe-taking security operatives gang-force Nigerians to pay dearly for food.”
Premium Times reports that 13 journalists received awards and commendations at the 2019 edition.
Speaking at the award presentation, the chairman of the 2019 panel of judges, Mr. Umaru Pate, said selecting the finalists was a rigorous task as the centre received many entries from different parts of Nigeria.
Pate said the quality and quantity of the 2019 entries was an indication that journalists in Nigeria are putting a lot of efforts into Investigative Reporting.
The centre also gave honourary awards to Sunmi Smart-Cole and Amnesty International Nigeria.
While Smart-Cole received a Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence, Amnesty International Nigeria was honoured with the Anti-Corruption Defender Award (Human Rights Specialty).
However, the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who was penciled for honourary award was not present to receive the award due to issues surrounding the re-arrest of the convener of #RevolutionNow Protest and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore on Friday, December 6 by the operatives of the Department of State Services.
Osinbajo was to be presented the Integrity specialty of the Anti-Corruption Defender Award as a result of his works while at the Lagos State Judiciary.
A total of 194 entries were received, while 13 journalists were shortlisted for the award and commendation in different categories.
So far, the award has produced 91 finalists, 48 laureates, nine investigative journalists of the year and 20 recipients of honourary awards since 2005.
The 2019 winners were drawn from the following categories:
Photo category
Ayodele Adeniran – Guardian Photojournalist Award commending him for his five-picture on how pupils in Lagos lament pains and long trek in search of Knowledge.
Saheed Olugbon – Punch Newspaper Photojournalist (Award commending him for his picture story on retirees in Nigeria, their struggles and poor financial state)
Odutayo Odusanya – Punch Newspaper (Runner up)
Online Category
Damilola Banjo – Sahara Reporters (Award commending her work on “Blood thirsty demons of Zamfara”)
Chikezie Omeje – International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) ( 1st Runner up)
Isine Ibanga – The Next Edition Newspaper (Winner, online category)
Editorial Cartoon Category
Albert Ohams – The Sun Newspaper Cartoon Editor (Award commending his cartoon on sitting allowance for Senators)
Radio Category
Mary Abayomi Fatile – FRCN (Award commending her work on the alleged extra-judicial killing of Basirat Akinmushire
Television Category
Bukola Samuel Wemimo – TVC (Award for commended work on Depression and Suicide in Nigeria)
Sharon Ijasan – (Runner up- Television Category)
Print Category
Oladimeji Ramon – Punch (Award for commended work)
Chinwe Agbeze – The Sun (Runner up)
Samson Folarin – Punch (Winner)
