The 30th edition of Diamond Awards for Media Excellence ( DAME) has been held with The Punch Newspaper and its staff winning the majority of the awards.
Some other media houses including Premium Times, Guardian, TVC, Nigerian Tribune, New Telegraph won some categories.
Among others, The Punch won the Newspaper of the Year and Editorial Writing category at the event, which was hosted at Muson Centre in Onikan, Lagos, with an editorial headlined, ‘COVID-19 health workers deserve commendation,’ edging out The Guardian.
Mr. Ademola Oni, Editor of The PUNCH, was awarded Editor of the Year, while the editors of The Nation and The Guardian, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina and Mr. Alabi Williams, were named first and second runners-up, respectively.
Oladimeji Ramon, a PUNCH Chief Correspondent, got the Judiciary Reporting award for his report titled, ‘How AGF, CBN shield police, military from paying damages to victims of rights violations.’ Ade Adesomoju, a former PUNCH journalist, and Gbenga Ogundare of The Cable were the first and second runners-up, respectively.
PUNCH’s Senior Correspondent, Tope Omogbolagun, received the Education Reporting award for her piece, ‘COVID-19: Internet glitches, poverty, outages frustrate Nigeria’s courses.’ Grace Edema of The PUNCH was named second runner-up, while Ogundare of TheCable was named first runner-up.
However, Taiwo Hassan-Adebayo of PREMIUM TIMES associate editor, investigative desk, was named Investigative Reporter of the Year
His investigative report on the alleged multibillion-naira railway fraud that lasted from the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari triumphed over entries from Punch newspaper’s Samson Folarin and The Nation newspaper’s Olatunji Ololade.
Others who won at the event were Adedoja Salaam-Adeniyi of Television Continental, the Lagos Reporting category; Juliana Francis of New Telegraph won the award of the child-friendly category with her story on how quarries exploit child labour and BusinessDay won the best-designed media website for their “user-friendly” website.
The Guardian won the Child-Friendly medium Award as Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, the editor of the Saturday Tribune won the Informed Commentary category award.
Mr. Lanre Idowu, the event’s organiser, noted that the yearly award is intended to recognize and celebrate achievement in the nation’s media business.
He stated that the prize advertised 24 categories, but only 13 of them had quality entries.
He also noted that DAME did not find entries worthy of its prizes in 11 categories and that the organization has determined to implement a program to enhance the quality of entries in the future year.
Idowu said journalists are very essential members of society and that they deserve to be recognized for the outstanding work they perform.
He hailed the honorees as those whose work and efforts had a significant influence on the practice in Nigeria.
The winners got medals, certificates, and cash awards, while categories with corporate sponsorships, such as nutrition and child trafficking, received extra tools such as laptops and tablets.
In addition, copies of Mr. Idowu’s book “Media on My Mind- Ethics, Governance, and Other Matters (2009-20017)” were given to the winners.
Newly introduced categories
With the 30th prize, DAME also launched a new category called the Honorary Fellowship award, with four senior journalists serving as pioneer awardees.
Among the honorees was the former managing director of Guardian Newspapers Ltd and Lade Bonuola, who received the 2021 Lifetime Achievement award.
Gbenga Adefaye, the editor-in-chief of Vanguard Newspapers; Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Information, and Strategy commissioner; and Folu Olamiti, the septuagenarian former editor of the Nigerian Tribune, are among those who have earned the honorary fellowship.
List of winners
Newspaper of the Year – The PUNCH
Editor of the Year – Mr. Ademola Oni (The Punch)
Judiciary Reporting award – Oladimeji Ramon (The Punch)
Education Reporting award – Tope Omogbolagun (The Punch)
Investigative Reporter of the Year – Taiwo Hassan-Adebayo of PREMIUM TIMES
Lagos Reporting category – Adedoja Salaam-Adeniyi
Child-Friendly media Award – The Guardian Newspaper
Informed Commentary category award – Dr. Lasisi Olagunju (Nigerian Tribune)
Best designed media website – BusinessDay
Child-friendly category – Juliana Francis
Friends and colleagues took to Facebook to congratulate Editor of The Punch on his award.
@ Alumoni Oluwagbemiga: I celebrate you today as you clinch Editor of the Year. May you continue to shine sir. Congratulations to my Boss always. Mr. Ademola Oni of Punch Newspaper.
@Adegbenro Adebanjo: Ademola Oni: The Punch Editor Wins Big
Editor of the Year, Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, DAME 2021
It’s a well-deserved accolade for a redoubtable and thoroughbred Professional journalist and excellent editor, more power to your pen.
CONGRATULATIONS my friend and brother.
Omogbolagun, while expressing her joy after receiving the award went on Facebook to appreciate everyone who has been part of her success:
“Yesterday, I was honoured as the Education Reporter of the year at the 30th edition of the prestigious Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME).
I do not take this lightly. I’m grateful to God the giver of all good things.
I really want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey; biological parents and siblings, spiritual parents, mentors, encouragers, bestie, friends, bosses, and colleagues, you my online family.
I’d also thank the organisers of the award for this hooooogggeee ( huge) honour.
And a very special appreciation to the organisation where I work @punchnewspapers. To all our readers, you’re the best. We’d keep doing our best to ensure that the society is a safe place for all.”
