By Alade Abiodun, MCS Reporter
The Nigeria Media Merit Award has called for entries for the 2013 edition of the event.
The 2013 award open to all men and women practicing journalism in Nigeria covers publication and broadcast 2012.
The categories for the print media include Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola prize for Sports Reporter of the Year, Lateef Jakande prize for Political Reporter of the Year, Olu Aboderin prize for Entertainment Reporter of the Year, Peter Odili prize for Power Reporter of the Year, Bukola Saraki prize for Agriculture Reporter of the Year and the Olagunsoye Oyinlola prize for Culture and Tradition Reporter of the Year
Others are Ibrahim Shekerau prize for Education Reporter of the Year, Bank PHB prize for CSR Reporter of the Year, NAFCON prize for Environment Reporter of the Year, CONOIL prize for Energy Correspondent of the Year, News Photographer of the Year, Gani Fawehinmi prize for Human rights Reporter of the Year and Olusegun Mimiko prize for Foreign News Reporter of the Year.
Awards will also be given for Buba Marwa prize for Defence Reporter of the Year, Adamu Mu’azu prize for Tourism Reporter of the Year, IGI prize for Insurance Reporter of the Year, Union Bank prize for Banking and Finance Reporter of the Year, Intercontinental Bank prize for Capital Market Reporter of the Year, Maritime Reporter of the Year, Aviation Industry Reporter of the Year, UBA prize for Money market Reporter of the Year, Coca-Cola Nigeria prize for Brand and Marketing Reporter of the Year, Chevron Nigeria prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year, BAT prize for Industry Reporter of the Year, MTN prize for Telecommunication Reporter of the Year, Sonny Odogwu prize for Business Reporter of the Year and Etisalat prize for most Innovative Reporter of the Year.
Also in the print media categories are Nnandi Azikwe prize for Cartoonist of the Year, Beatrice Bassey Ita prize for Female Reporter of the Year, Alex Ibru prize for Investigative Reporter of the year, Ernest Sisei Ikoli prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year, Cecil King memorial prize for Print Journalist Reporter of the Year, Abubakar Imam prize for Newspaper Features Writer of the year, Alade Odunewu prize for Columnist of the Year, prize for Editorial Writing of the Year, Dele Giwa prize for Editor of the Year, First Bank prize for Business Publication of the Year, WAMCO prize for Newsmagazine of the Year, Babatunde Jose prize for Newspaper of the Year and Nigerite prize for Real Estate/Construction Reporter of the Year.
In the radio category are Radio Reporter of the Year, Radio Presenter of the Year, George Bako prize for Radio Broadcaster of the Year, Radio Production of the Year, Radio Programme of the Year and the NBC prize for Radio Station of the Year.
The television categories are Cadbury Nigeria Plc prize for Television Reporter of the Year, Television Newscaster of the Year, Television Programme Presenter of the Year, Television Production of the Year, Television Drama of the Year, NBC Prize for Television Station of the Year.
The criteria for assessment for the print media are factuality, accuracy, originality, language, conscience, clarity, balance, objectivity, human interest, freshness of ideas, creativity and caption ability (press photograph).
The electronic media awards are based on knowledge of the subject matter, depth, confidence, appeal to positive emotion, eye and body communication, social responsibility, ability to generate and hold interest, touch of dramatic, courage, breaking of new ground, full exploitation of the medium, technical execution, level of adherence to NBC code, quality and level of professionalism.
Entries for print should be one original copy and four photocopies of the works undertaken during the year 2012 accompanied with curriculum vitae and two passport size photographs of the author.
Envelopes or packages used for submitting entries should be marked “NMMA 2012/2013” on the left hand corner with the specification of the award category which work is presented for. Entries for columnist of the year must be articles published quarterly within the year. For news photographer of the year, entries must be published cut out photographs in black and white or in colour with names and addresses of the photographer(s) at the back of each print and date of the newspaper/magazine publication.
Entries in the electronic category are expected in five copies of the recordings in only ordinary CDs (Audio) and DVDs (Video). The deadline of submission is 31st March, 2013 and addressed to the chairman, NMMA panel of assessors, c/o ideas communications LTD. 48B Sobo Arobiodun street, GRA, Ikeja. P.O.BOX 6728, Ikeja.
Winners will go home with a trophy (the Golden Gong of Excellence), a certificate and a specific prize money.