Daily Trust head of investigation, TVC reporter win 2023 Wole Soyinka Centre award
The Group Head of Investigation, Media Trust Limited, publisher of Daily Trust, Trust TV, Trust Radio, and Digital Trust, Lami Sadiq, has emerged the winner of Print Category at the 18th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSCIJ).
Lami, whose story beamed a searchlight on organ harvesting in the country’s capital, Abuja, was the only winner of the category.
Also, the runner-up, Omolabake Fasogbon, ThisDay Newspaper was commended for her work that spotlighted the regulatory deficit in the housing industry in the country.
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Although there was no overall winner for this year as the organizers of the award said the winners did not meet the criteria set for the category.
Lami was gifted the sum of N300,000; a plaque, certificate, laptop, and an international award trip.
Meanwhile, Sharon Ijasan of the TVC NEWS, won the award for the Television Category on her story on human trafficking while Folashade Ogunrinde of TV360 Nigeria was the runner-up.
Kemi Busari of the Premium Times won the Online Category of the award with his investigation. Others in the category included; Beloved John and Marcus Fatunmole, both from the ICIR.
In the cartoon editorial category, Victor Asewota of The Will Newspaper was the runner-up while Chukwemeka Emenike of the New Telegraph was commended for his work.
Also Ayodele Adenira, a photojournalist from The Guardian was commended for his pictures that captured the plight of Nigerians during the cash scarcity experienced earlier this year.
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The Chairperson for the 2023 Judges’ Board, Prof Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, said total entries received was 209 but only 99 passed the first level screening.
“This shows that most of the entries were not investigative stories; rather just an inch depth research. So, for today’s awardees, their stories showed depth of research (i.e., use of primary and secondary data and provision of evidence and documentation); and they demonstrated good journalistic skill through quality reporting and delivery (presentation and writing).”
She stated that the photo and editorial cartoon entries were newsworthy and the journalists demonstrated excellent technical skills in the use of visuals to artfully and creatively tell impactful stories.
She stated that a breakdown of the 99 are; print, 29; online, 45; TV, 7; radio, 2; photo, 8 and editorial cartoon, 8.
He said, “After the rigorous selection process, the 2023 judges’ committee, presented a list of journalists selected from the 99 entries received to WSCIJ.
“Looking at some of the processes the journalists went through to tell their stories, we submit that in the face of treat and resistance by state and non-state actors who were the ‘protagonists’ in the stories, Nigerian journalists have shown resilience and creatively used innovation and technology to uncover the truth; and light was shone on issues of public interest as most of the stories threw light on clandestine activities, public or corporate corruption, human rights violation and or, the failure of regulatory agencies.”
“These stories dealt with human-interest issues that affect Nigerians the most; and if addressed, will curtail the aggravated exposure to poverty (in fact multi-diemensional poverty), hunger, lack of access to education, poor access to quality health care, human right abuses, inequalities between female and male persons and other issues that have kept out nation having motion without movement.”
“Therefore, the journalists who made the list for the awards, have in the course of their duties shown passion, uncommon innovation and profundity, ethical journalistic courage, individual creativity, and public benefit in their reports. As such, we salute their uncommon courage and irreproachability.”
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