“I dedicate the award to every journalist in Akwa Ibom State,” a PREMIUM TIMES’ journalist who emerged the best investigative reporter in West Africa on Saturday declared.
Cletus Ukpong was adjudged to have produced the best investigative story among all the entries received in that category at the 2019 West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA) held in Accra, Ghana.
Speaking with Straightnews after carting the prestigious award, he said “I also dedicate the award to Governor Udom Emmanuel for making bold effort to tackle the rot in public schools in the state. I thank him for that because he has made sincere effort to address it particularly the recent Education Summit that was mounted in the state.”
Ukpong, an Akwa Ibom born and a University of Nigeria trained journalism graduate is the PREMIUM TIMES’ regional editor for South-south Nigeria.
The winning entry was a six-part report that examined how corruption, poor budget planning and implementation, and outright neglect led to the near collapse of public education in Akwa Ibom state.
After he published the series, he came under sustained attacks from the Akwa Ibom government and its supporters who accused him of ridiculing the administration.
On what led him to investigate rot into public school, Ukpong stated “Journalism is about campaigning for a change. We do not write for the sake of writing but we are writing for a change in the society. I noticed that some of the schools were bad. I did not know that the state was so bad until I started investigation. I want to see what I could to also contribute to the development of our society.”
Earlier during the event in Accra, the award organizers, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), had announced a shortlist of 21 finalists from six African countries.
At the WAMECA award ceremony on Saturday night, Tobore Ovuorie, a former reporter with PREMIUM TIMES, was named winner of the human rights reporting category of the award. The report that brought her honour was published in the Nation newspaper.
Other Nigerians who shone on the night include ‘Kunle Adebajo of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) who won the telecommunications category; Tunde Ajaja of Punch Newspaper, winner of the best Business and SMEs reporting.
Also, Destiny Onyemihia scooped the Continental Journalism Awards on AU Charter, with ACDEG’s Wagdy Sawahel finishing first runner up.
In other categories, Ghana’s Nabil Ahmed Rufai of GHOneTV carted the best SDG reporter; Seriba Kone of Lepointsur also finished best on anti-corruption coverage; Sama Tounwendsida Hugues Richard of L’Observeteur Paalga was best in health reporting.
Ultimately, Sama Tounwendsida was pronounced as West Africa’s Journalist of the Year for his reporting on mental illness in Burkina Faso.
All 21 WAMECA finalists got Certificates of Merit while ultimate winners received plaques, certificates and cash prizes.
“All 21 finalists will also be inducted as fellows of the MFWA’s Journalism for Change Network and will be offered regular training opportunities both locally and internationally to enhance their capacity to influence positive change in society through journalism,” organizers said.
