By MICHAEL VICTOR
Ijeoma Ukazu, First Runner Up -Best Story on Women Empowerment
It was a great day of joy, excitement, and accomplishment as The Daily Newswave Editor-in-Chief, Ijeoma Ukazu emerged as one of the winners in the maiden edition of the Nestlé Nigeria Media Award ceremony.
Ukazu emerged as a winner in two categories: Best story on Environmental Sustainability and
The best story on Community Development while she also emerged first runner-up -Best story on Women Empowerment.
The three (3) categories of awards won by Ijeoma Ukazu.
The event which took place at the corporate head office of Nestle Nigeria limited situated at 26/28 Ilupeju way, Mushin, Lagos was well attended by journalists of all spheres.
Speaking during her welcome address, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka said that the award is all about the journalist, stating that, “you have been celebrating us for many years it’s now high time to celebrate you also and that is why we came up with this award to reward you and don’t forget everybody here today will emerge a winner.”
The awardee with Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria.
During an interview, Uwadoka said, “The award was initiated to promote excellence within the profession and celebrate the same excellence as it would motivate everyone to thrive for excellence. If you want to encourage good behaviour, you must encourage and celebrate it.
L-R: Mr. Peter Ejiofor, member, Panel of Judges; Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s corporate communications and public affairs manager; Ijeoma Ukazu recipient of three Nestle’ Media Award, 2021; Dr. Chioma Emma Nwachukwu, member, Panel of Judges, and Dr. Austin Nweze, member, Panel of Judges, at the Nestle’ Maiden Media Awards 2021, on Saturday.
“Another reason this award was put together is that we already sponsor the nutrition segment of the DAME Awards and we thought that it was narrow. It does not give us the opportunity to celebrate those who write in health, environment, and business and these are all areas that impact the Nestlé business.”
She said the call for entries was to look out for journalists who over the years has exercised a level of diligence in storytelling, adding that, Nestlé was looking out for entries with three elements which include: Facts, Relevance to the environment, reality, and key topics like nutrition, youth and women development, environmental protection amongst others.
The award ceremony, which was the maiden edition, had six different entry categories,
Best story on Nutrition and Affordable solution;
Best story on Environmental Sustainability; Best story on Community Development; Best story on Women Development;
Best story on Youth Empowerment and
Best Photojournalist of the year respectively.
The awardees with the panel of judges
The winners in their respective categories and order include: “Best Story on Environmental Sustainability” – Ijeoma Ukazu (The Daily Newswave), Chris Onuoha (Vanguard), Bonny Amadi (West Africa Business News); “Best Story on Youth Empowerment and Development” – Royal Ibeh (Leadership), Chris Onuoha (Vanguard), Bonny Amadi (West Africa Business News); “Best Story on Women Empowerment” – Chris Onuoha (Vanguard, Ijeoma Ukazu (The Daily Newswave), Bonny Amadi (West Africa Business News); “Best Story on Community Development” – Ijeoma Ukazu (The Daily Newswave), Odutayo Odusanya (Newslounge Media), Chris Onuoha (Vanguard); and “Best Photojournalist Award” – Aina Johnson (The Sun), Dave Obasa (Punch); Sesan Awobiye (Momentous Magazine).
Earlier during his remarks, Mr. Peter Ejiofor, who was one of the judges said that it is essential that journalists add knowledge in any story, pointing out that journalists must improve their skills to report stories that would make an impact as well as add to readers’ knowledge.
Contributing, another judge for all award entries, Dr. Austin Nweze said it is important for media practitioners to be rewarded for their labours, saying the quality of the media in any society determines the life of the people.
While speaking during the event, Dr. Chioma Emma Nwachukwu revealed that entries for the award were screened based on factors such as story title – how enticing and captivating; introduction – how interesting it is for readers; depth of content; an addition to knowledge; and extent of research involved.
The panel of judges comprised Victoria Uwadoka, Dr. Chido Nwakama, Mr. Peter Ejiofor, Dr. Austin Nweze, Dr. Chioma Emma Nwachukwu, and Dr. Franklin Ngwu.
Nestle Nigeria presented Ukazu who won in three categories with three (3) plaques and three (3) Samsung Galaxy Tablets.