Multi-award-winning Nigerian investigative journalist, Alfred Olufemi has won the 2023 African Prize for Investigative Journalism (PAJI).
He was presented with the golden award and a cash prize of one million West African CFA ($1,682) on Wednesday during a ceremony in Senegal’s capital, Dakar.
Olufemi won in the print category of the award with his in-depth investigative journalism piece on how the discharge of poisonous chemicals into a flowing river in Oyo state adversely affects communities far away from the chemical spillage site.
The investigation published in The Punch newspaper last year revealed how the flowing river which linked several communities affects their ecosystem and the Oyo state government’s delayed response to the environmental pollution.
The story which caused owners of the chemical to reach out to the communities and the police to announce the reopening of the case was described as extraordinary by a member of the award jury.
The Director of Reporters San Frontiers (RSF) West Africa Office, Sadibou Marong, while commending Olufemi’s thorough investigation said “He provided an evidence-based report. It was an extraordinary story because of the efforts put in”
Radio France Internationale (RFI) editor-in-chief, Laurent Correau, also commended him for making a big story out of what many journalists would have only reported as mere news.
Olufemi while accepting the award appreciated the organisers for recognising the works of investigative journalists in Africa.
He noted that the award which is coming at a time he is being victimised for criticising powerful Nigerian officials is an encouragement to him. “This, personally, is an encouragement and inspiration to do more and be better,” he said.
He also recognised the contribution of The Punch newspaper and its several teams who he said were instrumental to the production of the story.
“They say it takes a community to raise a child. A lot of people were involved in the production of the story – the editors, page planners, and all. They all deserve the credit. I would like to thank them for their outstanding contributions, too.” he said.
Another Nigerian journalist Abdulrasheed Hammad won the silver award in the online category of the 2023 PAJI Award for his story published in the International Center for Investigative Reporting.
Hammad’s story was on abandoned multimillion-naira health projects in Sokoto state and how the public procurement act was repeatedly violated.
He was presented with the silver award and a cash prize of five hundred thousand West Africa CFA ($841).
The PAJI Award was launched in 2021 to promote investigative journalism in Africa. The 2023 edition which is the second in its history is organised by Media & Democracy (M&D) in collaboration with Senegal’s Centre for the Study of Information Science and Technology (CESTI).
