By Ijeoma UKAZU
Thedailynewswave.com journalist, Ijeoma Francisca Ukazu has emerged second in the online category in West Africa at the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards for 2022 on the topic; “More Than A Mother”.
The virtual award event which took place on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, had two entry topics; “More Than A Mother” and
“Diabetes and Hypertension”. In Nigeria, only three (3) journalists emerged winners in West Africa and they include; Ijeoma Francisca Ukazu of Thedailynewswave.com who came second in the Online Category, Ezedimbu Karen Ogom of Africa Independent Television (AIT) emerged second in the Multimedia Category, both under the “More Than A Mother” recognition awards while Patience Ivie Ihejirika of the Leadership Newspaper came first in the Online Category under the “Diabetes and Hypertension” media recognition awards.
The award received hundreds of entries last year from twenty-one African countries namely; East Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, and Central Africa including french-speaking countries. Only eighty-four (84) journalists received various categories of awards, including print, online, television, radio, and multimedia.
The “More Than A Mother” media award in collaboration with African First Ladies is aimed at initiating a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels, and as such, create awareness empowering infertile and childless women through access to information, education, and change of mindset. The main point is to highlight issues on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child marriage, infertility stigma, supporting girl education, women empowerment, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), amongst others.
The Awards also honoured stories on “Diabetes and Hypertension”, with the aim to educate people on healthy lifestyles to living with the disease.
Awardees would receive a certificate, medal, cash prize, online masterclass, and the privilege to become a Merck Foundation Alumnus.
Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany, and aims to improve the health and well-being of people and advance their lives through science and technology.
Speaking at the video conference awards ceremony, the Chief Executive of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej congratulated the awardees for their effort and well-crafted stories.
Dr. Kelej urged the winners to continue on this path to being the voice of the voiceless and break the silence on the issues they were awarded for.
She adds that most of the articles highlighted the breaking of the stigma against infertility, promoting good health, preventing child marriages, and rather promoting education for the girl child, which is in line with Merck Foundation’s core values, pledging her support to help make the world a better place for women and girls and create a world where women would no longer be mocked if marriage delays or fails to produce children.
Dr. Rasha Kelej revealed that all awardees would have access to their individual website for a masterclass in media training and practice.