Enters, Nigeria: The future I see

published on Tuesday, November 17, 2009,
The Guardian Newspapers

Enters, Nigeria: The future I see
By Yemi Olakitan

LESS than a month after it was announced, African Artists Foundation (AAF)'s second national art competition has been receiving responses across the country.

This development, AAF Chairman, Mr. Azu Nwagbogu, said shows that Nigerian youths are aware of their artistic potentials and ready to explore them.

The competition, which is being organized in partnership with the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc "is reaching out to schools, art organisations, and international bodies nationwide."

To ensure that Nigerian youths make the best of this opportunity, Nwagbogu said: "some of the winning artists of last year's competition are also on a mission to spread the word in different parts of the country. One of AAF's curators Zainab Ashadu is currently at Abuja to meet with schools, organisations and the media."

The competition is opened to artists who are 30 years and below. The young artists are expected to submit an artwork inspired by the theme: Nigeria: The future I see.

These works are to be taken from four genres: new media, photography, painting and sculpture. They are to be submitted at any British Council office nationwide.

These works may also be submitted at Alliance Franaise and any Nigerian university campus. The artists are to ensure an acknowledgement is received after dropping the entry to ensure their entry is not lost. "All entries must be on CD/DVD formats," he said.

The competition carries a cash prize of N750, 000 each for four winners and instant catapult to fame would open up the four to numerous opportunities in the art sector across the nation and in the international community.

He said the foundation had concluded arrangements that would ensure that the winners derive the utmost benefit from wining the competition. One of them is a two weeks training workshops in which winners of the competition would be exposed to fresh ideas and techniques in creative art.

Project Coordinator, Chineye Olugazie said the NB Plc and the AAF are truly committed to making the competition national by assembling the best talents around, which is one of the major objectives of the AAF.

Mr. Vivian Ikem of NB Plc., traced his company's involvement in the competition to its determination to be socially responsible.

Ikem said the company is also involved in education, sports and culture sppnsorships.

While declaring that NB Plc is committed to sustaining the growth of arts and all artistic expressions in Nigeria, he noted that such sensitive areas are not left entirely in the hands of Federal and state governments.

"Only the private sector can effectively reach the grassroots and develop human resources and potentials to enviable standards,"

He added that the Nigerian Golden Pen Awards, which was organised for journalists, was designed to develop creativity and professionalism in the country.

At African media forum, experts push for improved content, structure

By Yemi Olakitan
Publishd in the Guardian Newspapers,
November 23rd, 2009

RECENTLY, more than 100 media practitioners gathered in Lagos under the umbrella of Africa Media Initiatives (AMI) to discuss issues concerning media development in the continent.

The forum, which attracted delegates from 48 countries, held at the Federal Palace Hotel and the Civic Center, Lagos.

Keynotes at the forum were by the famous ABC Nightline anchor, Mr. Ted Koppel; Co founder of Huffinghton Post in the US, Arianna Huffinghton and publisher of the Next Newspapers, Dele Olojede, as well as the Dean of Medil School of Journalism, John Lavine.

The forum built on the outcome of the first, which, among other things, called for the development of a charter structure to guide the work of African Media Leaders Forum.

It also reflected on the commitment of media owners to seek common ground on problems and prospects of the industry.

The platform also looked at common problem solving methods, alongside high profile advocacy for an enabling macro-economic and socio political environment in which media institutions could thrive.

Some other issues discussed include the possible future and the practice of journalism in Africa in an age of radical media and technological change, drawing examples from other parts of the world.

While it envisioned and pinpointed new media business models, the forum considered the evolving media development and possibilities of financing the ventures it engenders. It also linked the overall governance agenda in Africa to the media, including its merits and demerits as a fourth estate of the realm. It analysed the implications of monetising content for the development agenda and also explored the African Media initiative as strategy for an improved media landscape.

Hosted by THISDAY and attended by media owners and practitioners from the continent, the forum urged the industry in Africa to hold their governments accountable.

Speaking before the first session, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, who is the founding chairman of AMLF, said the forum was designed to create a new experience to chart the course of development on the continent.

Obaigbena said the second forum became imperative to build on the outcomes of the maiden conference in Dakar, Senegal last year in such a way that it would be beneficial to practitioners on the continent.


In his remarks, Mr. Eric Chinje, Co-President AMLF and Manager, External Relations of the Africa Region of the World Bank, said the forum was aimed at critical reflection and common problem solving along with concerted high-profile advocacy for an enabling macro-economic and socio-political environment where media institutions could thrive.

Chinje said the African Media Initiative (AMI) was expected to generate support for the continent, adding that media owners are better positioned to talk about issues involving them.

The Co-President AMLF and President, All Africa Global Media, Mr. Amadou Mahtar Ba, said each delegate represented a powerful voice from their respective countries.

Ba urged the delegates to work together to present African views to the rest of the world.

In his keynote titled: What are the Possible Futures of Journalism with the Experience of New Media," Koppel said new technology of Internet cannot kill the newspaper industry. He added that he does not want the continent's media to become obsessed with the new technology.

He said the polarisation of news had drawn a lot of people back to the traditional media, which they had discovered carry verifiable news.

He said the Internet conveys millions of facts everyday, but it does not mean that those facts are true.

On Media and Governance: Myths and Realities of a Fourth Estate, Huffington said the evolvement of the new media was very important to the industry.

Huffington cited the instance of U.S President Barack Obama, who won his election on the strength of the Internet.

She said another advantage of the new media is its ability for instantaneous correction especially as it relates to the polarization in the mainstream media.

Also speaking as a panelist, Chairman, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, advocated an interface between the old and the new media in the practice of journalism.

Jijiwa said the future of democracy in Africa depended on how the media engaged the new and old media in presenting information to the people of the continent.

Jijiwa also talked on the relevance of community radio in the emerging African democracy. He was of the opinion that community radio is the most effective media in Africa, as it cannot be hindered by illiteracy.

He called on African leaders and policy makers to embrace community radio, as this will help the continent immensely in its quest for effective information dissemination.

There was also a session on "Media Development: Financing Media Ventures," moderated by CEO Africa International, France, Marie Roger Bilos, where the hurdles faced by media entrepreneurs in securing loans for their projects were highlighted.

The forum was rounded off with the third plenary discussing "Media Development: Financing Media Ventures". On the panel were Tayo Aderinokun, Group Managing Director, Guarantee Trust Bank; Ncube; George Twumasi, CEO, African Broadcasting Network, UK and Kate Senye, CEO, Southern Africa Media Development Fund, Namibia.

Marie Roger Biloa, the CEO of Africa International, France, moderated the plenary.

There was also a gala dinner night hosted by the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the country's Governors Forum, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Civic Center, Lagos.

The forum ended with a call on owners and operators of media organisations in Africa to embrace the digital revolution for seamless information dissemination on the continent. It also provided opportunity to present a draft of AMLF's charter.

The forum had Trevor Ncubde, Executive Vice Chairman Mail and Guardian South Africa; Linus Gitahi, CEO Nation Media Group; Kenyan Pius Njawe; Cameroun's Keneth Best, publisher of the Liberian Observer, Robert Kabushenga; CEO New Vision, Omar Ben Yeder, Publisher, IC Publications, UK's Marie Roger Biloa, publisher Africa international; France Mathatha Tsedu, among others in attendance.

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At 20, APCON strategises for future, confers honorary fellowship on Babangida, others
By Yemi Olakitan,Monday,
Published in the Guardian Newspapers
November 16th,2009

WHEN in 1988, the former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, signed into law, a decree establishing the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, he possibly did not know that he was making himself an integral part of the history of advertising practice in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

He possibly too, did not realise at the time that he had mid-wifed the birth of a child, who would grow to become a great man and also give birth to other great men.

This child is the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria. A council that has since then, taken advertising to a greater height, making it one of the most advanced sectors of the Nigerian economy; yielding billions of naira in revenue every year, employing hundreds of professionals and training a handful of practitioners yearly.

These were some of the reasons for the gathering of stakeholders in the marketing communications sector, guests and Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos on Thursday, November 12, to celebrate 20 years of robust growth and unprecedented achievements in the advertising sector and to honour those, who have been a part of the success story of APCON such as Badamasi Babangida, past Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola and his counterpart then, Prince Tony Momoh (Information).

APCON was established by Act No 55 of 1988 and revised by Act No 93 of 1992 to regulate advertising practice in Nigeria.

The event, which started with a cocktail and the rendition of the National Anthem by an orchestra of violins, had Prof. Akunyili on the high table with the chairman of the occasion, Chief John Nnia Nwodo Jnr, Prince Ajibola, Alhaji Farouk Usman and Mr. Bayo Atoyade.

The Chairman of APCON, Mr. Christopher Awusa Doghudje, in his welcome address, congratulated the three eminent persons who were conferred with the Honorary Fellowship Awards of the council.

These people, he said were the ones who brought advertising to the forefront in Nigeria. The chairman said without them; APCON would not be celebrating its 20th anniversary. According to him, it was an honour well deserved.

The chairman said the former President, who was represented by Alhaji Bala Adamu Aliyu, ensured that the council had a legal footing by enacting a law that backed it up.

Doghudje, who at an earlier media briefing took stock of the progress recorded over the past 20 years, said APCON, has succeeded immensely in professionalising and regulating the practice of advertising in Nigeria.

Other Nigerians who were also honored included Professor Charles Okigbo, who was the first chairman of the council, Dr. May Nzeribe, who was honoured for being the third chairman and Chief Olu Falomo, for being the second. They were conferred with the APCON Special Recognition Awards.

Falomo, in his remarks, said through the 14 years that he served; he knew that the council would go places. He expressed gratitudes for the honour done him and his colleagues.

He said the awards was not for any individual but for all those who worked as a team to bring APCON to a fine peculiarity with international advertising organisations all over the developed world.

A number of distinguished practitioners also became fellows at the event. They were Mr. Yinka Adepoju, and Mrs. Bunmi Oke, who became the first female practitioner to rise to such a level in the industry. Mr. Rufai Ladipo of Angel Communications and Feyijimi Awosika of Insight Communications were also honoured as fellow.

Speaking at the event, Professor Akunyili enlightened advertising practitioners on relevance of the national re-branding effort of her ministry to national development.

According to her, advertising is a major stakeholder in re-branding Nigeria project. She said the project is about changing the negative image of Nigeria and Nigerians in the international circles.

"We have allowed others to tell our stories for us," she noted. "We are not treated well at airports around the world, once they see the Green Passport, you will be asked to stand aside. This is as a result of our battered image, many foreigners who come to Nigeria have discovered that what they see is far different from what they were told in their countries.ÕÕ

She continued, "when I came to the office as the image-maker of the nation, I felt strongly that the negative image of Nigeria should not be left alone. We studied the situation and came up with the re-branding project. We also came up with a slogan for re-orientation and attitudinal change with the aim of imbibing the spirit of patriotism: ÔNigeria, Good People, Great CountryÕ

"We have people that have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and achieved international acclaim. Nigerians are very hardworking people and honest. Our nation has spearheaded peacekeeping operations in many parts of Africa. We were at the forefront in the struggle against Apartheid. Many Nigerian civil servants donated their salaries to fight the Apartheid regime in South Africa. We have helped in bringing peace and stability to many countries but we have allowed other people to define who we are. We donÕt talk about our contributions to global peace, stability and progress. We have allowed a few criminals to define who we are as a country. We must make a statement and we must make strong impressions that our nation will not continue to be defined in negative information. Nollywood is the second most vibrant film industry in the world. We must say these things loud for all to hear."

She added, "we are working with over 17 millions Nigerians in the Diasporas. We are going to establish units in schools to encourage the spirit of patriotism in young people. Re-branding will complement infrastructure and economic development. It is important to national development it does not stop it."

The celebrations, which started on November 11, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, with an advertising career seminar for undergraduates and fresh graduates continued at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers on Friday, of November13.

The event attracted members of the governing council who are from the key stakeholders in the advertising industry and other interests.The stakeholders and interests such as Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Outdoor Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, Federal Ministry of Health and Tertiary institutions offering advertising related courses.

Voice of Nigeria ... boosting music and drama quality with new facilities

By Yemi Olakitan

WITH the commissioning, last Friday, of its ultra-modern Music and Drama Studio, the Voice of Nigeria (VON) is providing a platform for stakeholders in marketing communication and entertainment industry to produce their TVC and jingles in the country. Producing television commercials off shore, especially in the United Kingdom and South Africa, has become a common practice among the advertising agencies in the country. The reason has always been that the facilities available in the country do not offer the high quality demand of most advertisers.

But the new facilities including a new drama production and editing studio will also serve musicians and moviemakers better. Also commissioned was the Pent House to address the accommodation challenge of members of staff who are always on shift duty to open the external radio station of the federal government as early as 5a.m. However, the new facilities, according to the Director-General, Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa, are geared towards realizing the 24-hour transmission target of the radio organization in the nearest future.

The event featured Information and Communication Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili and some former bosses of the external broadcasting outlet as well as the veteran broadcaster, Ambassador Segun Olusola among others.

In fact, the facilities were named after two former Directors of Voice of Nigeria. The Pent House was named after Alhaji Yaya Abubakar while the Music and Drama Recording studio was named after Aremo Taiwo Alimi; both were former Directors- General of the Voice of Nigeria. The Music and Drama Production studio was named after Professor J.O. Uruku who was represented by her daughter, Eno Uruku. The studio is an extension of the Taiwo Alimi recording studio, which is tagged Studio 9.

Prof. Akunyili thanked the VON Director General for what she termed "kind demonstration of true leadership" in recognizing the contributions of the past Directors General of the radio organisation and naming the facilities after them.

According to her, the facilities will enhance broadcasting at the Voice of Nigeria. Akunyili was happy that VON had identified with the re-branding project of the information ministry. She stressed that in rebranding the nation, efforts must be made towards re-branding key institutions in the country. She said when key institutions are re-branded, the nation's rebranding efforts would become tremendously fruitful. The new facilities, she said, underscored the fact that "Voice of Nigeria has fully re-branded itself."

The Minster insisted that the new facilities were the best in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to her, when all the facilities (including the new transmission studio in Abuja) are commissioned, VON will become a force to be reckoned with not only in Africa but also in international broadcasting.

Akunyili expressed satisfaction about the feedback she has been receiving concerning VON. "I receive commendation letters from different countries of the world on your services and it shows you are doing a great job because documents don't lie,'' she said.

She thanked the management and members of staff of the radio station for their hardwork and dedication to duties, which have inspired such international outpouring of commendations from across the world. Her words: "Only a selfless leader will honour his predecessors the way the present Director General has done."

Commenting further on Mallam Jijawa, she described him as a good leader. "We have a Director General that says my predecessor conceives an idea and I am going to actualise it and name it after him, such an attitude is rare. It is a true sign of good leadership.''

While commissioning the facilities, especially the Pent House, Akunyili urged the staff to use the tools to send out positive messages about their country. "We must tell the world the true stories about Nigeria because most of what you hear from foreign media are negative reports about the nation. "Nigeria is not the most corrupt country in the world; neither do we have the highest incidents of rape. We must tell the world the positive stories about our great country.''

She congratulated the duo of Alhaji Yaya Abubakar and Aremo Taiwo Alimi for the great honour bestowed on them.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, Jijawa had described the commissioning of the Musical and Drama Recording Studio, the 10 Compartment Editing Studio and the Penthouse as well as the state-of-the-art editing and news gathering gadgets, the mini museum which displayed some of the awards received by VON over the years as the results of massive renewal, renovation, regeneration and rehabilitation process embarked upon by the organisation in the last four years.

The rehabilitation of the Pent House, he said, became necessary "because of the shift-staff would need a place to stay when they work odd hours in order to meet up with the 24 hours broadcasting regime of the station, as they will have to resume at 5.a.m everyday.

According to him, the Music and Drama studios will be used for musical recordings. VON will be able to escape all the copyright issues that accompanied musical usage by composing its own music and recording them through the use of its digital studio. The studio will also be available for musicians and moviemakers.

Speaking further on facilities, Alhaji Jijiwa said all desks and offices in VON could now boast of modern computers with Internet facilities. He used the occasion to announce that VON has contracted and is now test running the largest most modern and digitally compliant radio transmitting project in Africa at Lugbe, Abuja, which is 98 per cent complete.

He also disclosed that the media organization had acquired the rotating antenna technology. Alhaji Jijawa said this technology allows VON to rotate its antenna and beam signals to any region of the world with the touch of a button.

He also said the VON would add more languages to its list. Right now the station broadcast in eight languages: Arabic, English, French, Fulufude, Swahili, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. But efforts, he stated, were being made to add Portuguese, German, Mandarin, Chinese and Hindi.

In an emotional speech in response to the honour done to him, former VON Director General, Alhaji Yaya Abubakar thanked Mallam Jijiwa for remembering his contributions to VON. He however said the honour was not meant for him alone but for all the past Directors-General of VON who were not present at the occasion. His words: "We must remember that all of them have contributed in one-way or the other to the success story of VON."

Chief Taiwo Alimi on his own part said he was socked to hear the news that the studio would be named after him. He expressed gratitude to Mallam Jijiwa, management and the staff of VON who have considered it worthy to honour their past leaders. He concluded that those who honour others would themselves be honoured. He thanked the Minister of Information, Prof. Akunyili for her support for VON. Also, he had kind words for the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information for what he termed "his dedication to the development of the media sector in Nigeria."

EKO ATLANTIC CITY: HOW FEASIBLE?

By Yemi Olakitan  

The proposed Eko Atlantic City has had everyone babbling or talking since the Lagos State Government announced its plan to transform the Bar Beach areas into a mighty city within Lagos state. The huballoo created by the project is to be expected, judging from the experiences of residents along the Bar beach vicinity who have suffered persistent ocean surge along the Bar Beach coastal areas until the former state Governor; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought succour to the people by building a lengthy dam that permanently ended the relentless Ocean surges.

Many are excited about the Eko Atlantic City project. Some are sceptical. While some people have lauded the plan as a good step in the right direction, others have criticised it and looked at it like a white elephant project that might not be attainable. Some have even described the project as a possible gateway to disaster such as the much publicised tsunamis and hurricane Rita of the United States. No matter how experts have tried to explain the enourmous benefits of the project, some are still fearful, doubtful or disapproving.

The sheer magnitude of this project has left many people in wonderment. Some commentators have even said that government would soon abandon the idea.

The City is among other things, expected to have residential structures, first Class hotels, restaurants, architectural edifices that might serve as tourists’ destinations for the rest of the world. It is expected to boast of numerous commercial, financial and holliday havens; making the city a hot cake for the property and investment market in the country. This is however, the 21 st Century and Nigeria is catching up fast with the rest of the world, so there is every possibility that the project is attainable like the Tunapa project of Governor Donald Duke.

In a chat with news men on the various concerns of critics and commentators; Lagos state Commissioner for Lagos State Water Front and infrastructural Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru gave assurance that there would be no negative environmental effects as a result of the project. He said; all scientific calculations and investigations have already been concluded. The commissioner said the state Government has also worked on the Environmental Impact Assessment, (EIA) because of the size of the project. The Commissioner hinted that the Eko Atlantic City will be as big as the present day Victoria Island. Speaking further on the project; the commissioner said the city is targeting 250,000 residents and 200,000 commuters flowing to the island on a daily basis for work or relaxation. The commissioner said, if such cities can be built on deserts and seas in other parts of the world, it is possible to achieve the same in Nigeria.

The benefits of the projects are innumerable to mention. One is the creation of thousands of jobs for Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole. The City when completed will also attract businessmen and tourists. It will bring investment to Lagos state and create opportunities for the citizens. The Lagos beaches are presently being used for criminal activities; prostitutes, miscreants, pickpockets and the likes have made the beaches their dwelling place. A project such as this will eradicate its present status and turn our shores into a place of recreational beauty, promoting business and noble objectives.

Another question on everyone’s lips is how the state Government will fund such a big project? Is the Lagos State Government counting on the federal Government to fund this ambitious project? The face off between the Federal Government under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the former Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the local government fund is still fresh in memory.

The Lagos state Government however said the project will be financed entirely by private initiative.

Eko Atlantic City will be sponsored and promoted by the Chagoury Group. The Chagoury group is the leading Construction and Property Company in West Africa. The group is heavily involved in dredging, land reclamations and infrastructural developments. It is the owner of the biggest Hotel in the state; Eko Hotel and suites and has experienced architectural, building and construction Engineers and Scientists, who are well trained on such projects. The Chagoury Group are not new to such projects, currently, the group are reported to be involved in the development of two major projects; Banana Island in Ikoyi which is a residential complex on reclaimed land of approximately 1.8 million square meters and Eko Akete, an infrastructural development of approximately 400 hectares and 30 km from Victoria Island. The Chagoury Group seems to have the right credentials and experience for the enourmous Eko Atlantic City project.

On the modus operandi, Honourable Commissioner for Lagos State Water Front and infrastructural Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru said, the sand on the beach will be taken back to where it was formerly in the 50s and 60s about 5km back into the ocean. The commissioner said as soon as the land is reclaimed both foreign and local investors will be invited for allocation. He added that the investors will be given a deadline to develop their land because failure to do so within a given timeframe will lead to forfeiture of the allocated land. The project, as reported, will be carried out in phases. Structures on the land will be available in the next five to seven years as planned by the state government and its private developer.

Media reports said the design of the Eko Atlantic City includes protective breakwaters on its outer perimeter to provide shelter from the oceans waves. According to the Chagoury Group, the breakwater will be designed as a submerged and immerged wall utilizing advanced X-blocs which are enourmous X shaped concrete blocks designed to dissipate energy from the waves. The land itself will be reclaimed through a sand filling, concrete and rocks filling that will create a strong foundation for the structures that will be put in place.

Eko Atlantic City, instead of being a potential disaster as many thought, will keep the Bar Beach Ocean surge permanently eradicated and turns the beach into a paradise city. On this note, The Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Fashola has began promoting his new dream for Lagos state. The state Governor was reportedly present at “This Day Special international Summit’ which was held in New York, USA. The Governor led the drive for investors’ participation in the Lagos of his dream at the summit which was titled: Nigeria Meets the World: Turning Challenges into Opportunities. Reports say, the issue of the Lagos Mega City project was discussed and investors were encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.

Eko Atlantic City is part of a bigger project; the Lagos state Mega city Project. Part of which is the development of Badagry and the creation of a link between it and the rest of the state. This will include a modern transportation system. The Mega city Project also includes the provision of infrastructure, mass housing, creation of employment and tourism as well as the creation of Eko Atlantic City.

In the final analysis, great economies are been run today through private participation and involvement. The state and the Federal government do not have all the resources nor the expertise to transform a developing economy into what it should be or what it can become. They may have the idea and the concepts. It is only through the involvement of the private sector that goals and visions can be achieved and fully realised. A government that claim a monopoly of knowledge and resources can not do well in the new generation of advanced economy and development. By involving private investment it is most feasible that the Lagos state Government will achieve its lofty objectives of transforming Lagos state into and haven of business opportunities and tourism.

The Guardian wins Newspaper, Editor of the Year

The Guardian wins Newspaper, Editor of the Year  Monday, November 23, 2009 - Lawrence Njoku (Enugu), Wole Shadare, Debo Oladimeji and Yemi Olakitan

THE Guardian's leadership position as Nigeria's flagship in newspapering was re-affirmed on Saturday night by the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) Foundation which named it the best newspaper of the year 2008. It is the newspaper group's umpteenth win in that category. The newspaper's editor, Mr. Debo Adesina, also beat two other nominees, Steve Ayorinde of The Punch and Simon Kolawale of ThisDay Newspapers to emerge the Editor of the Year. A Senior Correspondent of the newspaper, Chukwuma Muanya, also bagged the Ernest Ikoli Prize for the Best Newspaper Reporter of the Year after beating two other nominees, who included his colleague in The Guardian, Debo Oladimeji and Dipo Kehinde of Punch Newspapers. But the event, which took place at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, was nearly marred by the long delay in its take-off as the organisers waited for the arrival of the Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, to no avail. There were 47 awards in all, 35 in print, six in radio and six in television media. Other winners were Olushola Fabiyi who won the Abubakar Imam Prize for Features Writer of the Year, the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the year was won by Lateef Ololade of Punch Newspapers while the News-Photographer of the year was won by Lukman Ajisegiri of Tell Magazine. The UBA prize for Money Market Reporting went to Salife Adejoko of National Life Newspapers. Editorial Writing of the Year award was won by The Punch while Louis Odion of National Life bagged the Columnist of the Year award. The Telecommunications Reporter of the year awards, which was sponsored by MTN, went to Seun Igbalode of IT and Telecom Digest. The Agriculture Reporter of the year award was given to Stella Sawyer of TELL Magazine while the Oyinlola Prize for Culture and Tourism went to Sina Fadare of Champion Newspapers. The Bashorun MKO Abiola Prize for Sports Reporter went to Okereochi Chikodi of Broad Street Journal and the Capital Market Reporter of the year went to Emmanuel Uffot. The Political Reporter of the Year award was given to Anayochukwu Agbo of TELL Magazine. The Environment Reporter of the year award went to Temitayo Sanyaolu of TELL Magazine. The banking and Finance award went to Raymond Mordi of Broad Street Journal. Sola Alabadan of Daily Independent received the Insurance Reporter of the Year award. The Cartoonist of the Year award went to Azeez Sanni of The Nation. Wale Alabi received the CRS Reporter of the year award. The Business Reporter of the year award went to Manuaka Tony of BSJ while the energy Correspondent Reporter of the year was Chucks Isiwu. Other major awards in the electronic section include Radio Production of the Year, which went to Shola Solanke, Radio Programme of the Year went to Abiodun Bannola. The Radio Station of the Year was Rhythm 93.7 while the Television Reporter of the Year was given to Deji Badmus. This year, the media sector in Africa celebrates 50 years of television broadcasting in Nigeria. Channels Television took the Television Station of the Year award. Most of the award winners went home with computer laptops, cash prizes, and a book-- Democracy Watch-- written by former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh. The NMMA was inaugurated in December 1990 to celebrate and reward media excellence. The objectives of NMMA have been sustained and achieved through the years. Lagos was the official host of the awards in the early years. It was later decided that the yearly award ceremony should go round the various states of the federation on the advice of the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Grand Patron of the NMMA. Guests were seated at about 6.00 p.m. when the event was billed to begin and waited till 10.30 p.m., when members of the committee decided to call off the opening ceremony activities to go into the award presentations. Attempts by government officials present, including Secretary to the State government, Martin Ilo, Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo and some commissioners to stand in for the governor were rebuffed by the organisers. When finally the event started, some guests had left. Announcing the awards at the 19th edition of the NMMA held in Enugu, Chairman of the 2009 Award Nominating Panel, Prince Tony Momoh, one of Nigeria's foremost journalists, lawyer and renowned media manager, said The Guardian's in-depth reportage, fairness and reach marks it as the best in the country, stressing that the paper had truly lived up to its name as the leader in the industry to win the Babatunde Jose Prize. The newspaper, he said, had maintained high standards, stressing that it met the requirements and satisfaction of the 25-man nominating committee for this year's award. Describing Debo Adesina as a high-profile editor, who had in 2005 and 2006 won the Dele Giwa Prize for the Best Editor of the Year, Momoh said that Adesina has continually distinguished himself since he became the youngest editor in the country then at the age of 27, just about four years after joining The Guardian stable in 1988. Board Chairman of NMMA, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, a newspaper columnist of note, popularly known as Allah De, while explaining the activities of the organisation so far, said the event was created to promote excellence in the Nigeria media and foster unity, stressing that despite all odds, it had been sustained.

Craig, ace broadcaster, dies at 60

By Chuks Nwanne and Yemi Olakitan,published in the Guardian Newspapers ONE of Nigeria's foremost sports journalists, Yinka Craig, is no more. He passed on after a long battle with lymphoma, cancer of the immune system, the ace broadcaster, died yesterday at 60.  According to David Olamide Craig, a member of his family, the AM Express presenter on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) died at 6 a.m. yesterday in Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America (USA).  Survived by his wife, Dr. Kehinde Craig, his sons, Olayinka and Olamide and his only daughter, Temilola, the late Craig was a pioneer radio and television broadcaster, sports journalist extra-ordinary and a national icon. Medical experts described Craig's ailment as "cancer of the lymphatic system, which is a network of tubes, glands and organs that are parts of the body's defence against infection. The broadcaster is said to have started the battle with the infection about one and half years ago. His close associates expressed shock over his passage. Femi Jarret, renowned music promoter and actor, exclaimed: "Oh God! I'm just hearing. He had been in the U.S. for treatment and we were hopeful that he would regain his health..." To the head of Creative Arts Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Duro Oni, "Craig's passage is unfortunate. No more comments for now." "I'm in shock actually," reacted Bayo Ogori, one of Craig's producers on the AM breakfast show. "Was he sick? I've not been around for a while. This is a great loss to the media profession. Craig was a thorough professional, very friendly, charming and nice person to work with. It is a great loss!" Ogori mourned. In the view of the renowned cinematographer, Tunde Kelani, "it is a terrible loss. Craig was a friend, a colleague and he was very knowledgeable about so many things. Highly devoted and he loved his profession with a passion." The former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Danladi Bako, described Craig's death as "a very great loss. He remains one of the most effervescent, most professional, and most irrepressible broadcasters Nigeria ever produced. He knew a bit about everything and everything about a bit. He could discuss anything from quantum physics to cerebral malaria to David Bwie or Graham Central Station. He remains a quintessential gentleman. I knew him since 1977 at NTA: my office was porter cabin 8A while his was 9A; we were very, very close."  The Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, yesterday described Craig's passage as a great loss not only to the media industry but Nigeria as a whole. Daniel said in a statement issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wale Adedayo: "The late broadcaster could be counted among the first 11in doing the nation proud in his chosen profession. "Yinka Craig's passion, professionalism and sense of patriotism in a profession that prides itself as epitome of quality service was almost without equal." The governor prayed that the Almighty God would grant his family, colleagues and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Craig had been diagnosed with cancer since last year; and had been receiving treatment at an American hospital for months. He hailed from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Craig spent the better part of his 60 years of life in radio and television broadcasting, running oft-innovative programmes - from sports to Weekend Newsline, to morning magazine programmes -warming viewers' hearts with his inimitable style of presentation, genteel humour and a characteristic toothy smile. His 40 years in broadcasting, from the days of the old Western Nigerian Broadcasting Service (WNBS), is almost as old as the history of broadcasting in independent Nigeria, and certainly synonymous with it. Throughout his journalism career, Craig was regarded by many as a mentor and role model. He had numerous admirers in nearly all areas of human endeavour in Nigeria.  His humour and good nature will be missed in many events where the list would not be complete without his name. Younger media men who have worked under him would remember Craig as the man, who helped them cut their teeth, especially in sports journalism. He was amiable and easy-going. His presence was dignifying as he carried himself with so much respect. Former Sports Manager of NTA and Craig's boss then, Fabio Lanipekun, described his death as a great loss. Lanipekun, said Craig was the most accomplished all-rounder broadcaster the nation ever produced. "If he were to be the citizen of any other country, he would be celebrated. "There was no programme he could not handle and he gave joy to millions of people. May his soul rest in peace." Waheed Olagunju, Craig's junior colleague at NTA, believed that his death would give him the needed rest, "it is very painful, very painful indeed. He was my boss at NTA. "It is very sad, but it is also good that he is resting. We just thank God for his life, the last few months have not been easy, but what can we say but to thank God for his life." Akinloye Oyebanji another junior colleague of Craig at the NTA described his death as a serious blow. "He was a thoroughbred professional who was always thinking ahead. "He was always talking about broadcasting, even when he was ill, he has been thinking about programme, which he promised would shake the world when it eventually came out."