Nigeria’s first blind journalist, Mr. Gbenga Ogundare emerged winner in the Judiciary Reporting Category at the 29th Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).
The 44-year-old, visually impaired Ogundare won with his story: “The Long Tortuous Road to Justice for Rape”, published by The Nation on Aug. 18, 2019.
Speaking to NAN, Ogundare, expressed joy at winning the DAME for a second time.
The journalist, who had been practising for 18 years, recalled how he emerged DAME’s Child-Friendly Reporter for the year 2016.
“I feel very excited; it is a lot of motivation for blind journalists like me to make impacts and not discouraged by their disability” he said.
Other categories and winners at the annual event held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, include, Best designed magazine won by The Punch, Newspaper of the Year won by The Nation. Chief executive officer at Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also, Mr. Bayo Akinloye of ThisDay newspaper, won the Agriculture Reporting Category sponsored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). His reportage: “From Cocoa to Cannabis: Nigerian Farmers Seek Fortunes Inside Forbidden Farms”, clinched him the coveted prize. The story was published by ThisDay on June 30, 2019.
Meanwhile, Mr. Niyi Adesina of the Nation emerged editor of the Year, while Mrs. Chioma Obinna of Vanguard won the Nutrition Reporting Category.
There were 14 award categories in the 29th edition as against 18 featured in the 28th edition.
DAME is organized annually by Diamond Publications Ltd., publishers of Media Review. The awards are meant to enhance professionalism and reward hard work in journalism.
DAME’s first outing was on March 20, 1992. Eight awards in print journalism were given to deserving professionals at that maiden edition.
