GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA 2023 MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES WINNERS

… As Daily Nigerian Telegraph Publisher, Sampson Uhuegbu, others make list

Thursday, January 4, 2024, the Governor Hope Uzodimma Media Excellence (GHUME) Award Committee officially submitted her 2023 report to the Commissioner for Information And Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba at his Port Harcourt Road Office, Owerri.

While submitting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Nkana Omon on behalf other members expressed delight to have been opportuned to serve the State Government in that capacity.

According to him, the report included detailed reports of the Committee’s work  including:  the selection process, finalists and winners, Committee operations, time lines and budgetary expenses.

Nkana Omon stated that the selection process was transparent and rigorous highlighting the intergrity of the process.

He mentioned that for the first time since the creation of the award,2023 edition applied technology specifically to collate and assess journalists.

He stated further that the Committee, working under strict adherence to specifications classified the GHUME Awards into nine categories with winners and runners-up as follows:

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:

1. Chinomso Alozie

Vanguard Newpaper

2. Sampson Uhuegbu

Statesman Newspaper

3. Ahize Anthony

Statesman Newspaper

ONLINE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:

1. Iheanyi Daniel Enwerem

ogenendigbo.net

2. Eze Adiuku

indipendentvoice.ng

STATE CORRESPONDENT OF THE YEAR:

1. Stanley Uzoaru

The Sun Newspapers

2. Chinonso Alozie

Vanguard Newpapers

3. Sabinus Elemba

BusinessDay Newspapers

REPORTER OF THE YEAR:

1. Shirley Okehie

Orient FM

2. Ezinne Glory

Darling FM

3. Sylvia Ibeku

IBC Orient FM

IMO-BASED NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR:

1. Statesman Newspaper
2. City Star Newspaper
3. The Onion Newspaper

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR:

1. Obidiaso Onyinye Assusmpta

NTA

2. Chukwuemeka Pascal

Hot FM

3. Doris Chioma Alex

NTA

PRESENTER OF THE YEAR (English):

1. Rejoice Chinedu Opara

IBC (Orient FM)

2. Ugochi Dike

My Radio FM

3. Uzoma Laureta Ujunwa

Darling FM

PRESENTER OF THE YEAR (Igbo):

1. Obinna Chineke Joachim

Darling FM

2. Ifeyinwa Akubuo

FRCN (Heartland FM)

3. Chinonso Ugorji

Darling FM

NEWSCASTER OF THE YEAR:

1. Joyce Unegbu

IBC (Orient FM)

2. Paul Chukwu

Groove FM

3. Lilian Duru Valentine.

IBC (Orient FM

In his response, the Commissioner for Information And Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba expressed his profound appreciation to the Committee for a work well done.

The Commissioner commended their thoroughness and the more scientific approach adapted to produce a more detailed and commendable report.

Emelumba stated that the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma remains committed to this Excellence Award  adding that the he hoped that the Award will be institutionalized within the next four years.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to urge journalists to key into the Media Excellence Award idea and see it as another vista to excel and push their career as it poses a sense of competition and elation when one finally emerges as a winner.

Chief Emelumba expressed satisfaction at the rise of government media, emphasizing that there was no form of influence exerted on the Committee for any special favour yet they were able to achieve the great feats in the contest.

The Commissioner said, “It gladdens my heart that this exercise is vindicating the Government Media Agencies”.

He informed that the Media Excellence Award has been domiciled in the Ministry of Information And Strategy at least for the next four years and hoped for its sustainability.

The committee is made up of Ukana Omon (Chairman); Williams Unadike(Secretary); Mrs Violet Igwe, Mrs Chinwe Asogu, Anthony Ozor, Chris Dimgba, Chris Njoku, Ifeanyi Nwanguma and Gele Agbai.