Posted by By Azubuike Ishiekwene,Maputo, Mozambique on
For the third time in 11 years, a Nigerian has won the CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award 2006...
For the third time in 11 years, a Nigerian has won the CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award 2006, closing in on the record of Kenya and South Africa.
The General Editor of Daily Sun, Mr. Shola Oshunkeye, 50, beat 20 other finalists from nine African countries to win the award in a ceremony on Saturday night in Maputo, Mozambique.
His winning entry, "Niger‘s grave of the living," written last year for Tell magazine in 2005, depicted how the government of Tandja Mamadou fiddled while famine claimed the lives of hundreds of the country‘s citizens, including children.
While tonnes of food aid poured in from around the world and refugee camps were bursting at their seams in the capital, Niamey, and the countryside, President Mamadou told Oshunkeye in an interview that, "there was a difference between famine and food shortages."
Kenyan journalists had won the prestigious prize four times in the past, while South Africans won it three times, with joint winners in 2001.
At a ceremony attended by over 500 journalists from Africa and around the world, the Mozambique's President, Mr. Armando Emilio Guebuza, who presented the award, said the event was a vote of confidence in his government‘s efforts to rebuild the country after years of devastating conflict.
According to the Managing Director of CNN International, Mr. Chris Cramer, the event is a testament to the depth of talent that Africa offers.
He said, "The profession that you, as journalists, have chosen is undoubtedly hard. The rewards it offers are not always immediate or without cost. It frequently requires you to operate in an extremely dangerous environment.
"But as journalists, you strive to inform, to explain, to place in context, to render significant as interestingly as you can and crucially, to provide vital public service. The competition aims to recognise the quality of journalism that is being undertaken here in Africa."
The Chief Executive of MultiChoice Africa, Mr. Eben Greyling, said his company was committed to recognise and celebrate excellence in African journalism and to help the continent to develop an open and free media.
"The important role that media plays was highlighted again with the international theme for World Press Freedom Day - development and eradication of poverty, one that will improve the freedom of the people," Greyling said.
The chairperson of the panel of the seven-member panel of judges and Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr. Joel Kibazo, said, "These awards are important because they highlight the depth of the talent we have on the African continent. What lies at the heart of the competition are good stories and the African story told well and we‘re delighted by what we have seen this year."
There were 1,530 entries from 43 countries, as against 630 entries from 40 countries in last year's event, which held in Kenya. The award, founded by Mr. Edward Boateng, first took place in Ghana in 1995.
In the individual category, Oshunkeye had won the M.K.O Abiola Print Journalist Award, endowed by Safebond Africa Ltd.
He dedicated the award to his wife of 25 years, Felicia, who was also present at the occasion.
Another Nigerian journalist, Mr. Adeshina Oyetayo of Tell, was voted runner-up in the MSD Health and Medical Award category.
The overall CNN/MultiChoice award comprises a three-week professional programme at the CNN Centre, Atlanta, with complimentary tickets by South African Airways and a cash prize.
The package also includes prizes awarded to winners in other categories, which consists of participation in a four-day finalists‘ programme, a laptop computer, modem, printer and an additional cash prize.
Other winners in the individual category were, Lilian Aluanga, The Sunday Standard, Kenya (MSD Health and Medical Award); Angus Begg, M-Net South Africa (Sport Award); Khopotse Bodibe/Anso Thom, joint winners (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for HIV/AIDS); Refinaldo Chilengue, Revista Mais, Mozambique (Portuguese General News Award); Victoria Cullinan M-Net, South Africa (Arts and Culture Award); Tanya Farber (South African Airways Tourism Award); Salwa Jafari, (Francophone General News, TV).
Other were, Desmond Kwande, Daily Mirror, Zimbabwe, Mohamed Amin Photographic Award); Isaac Masingati, The Sunday Times, Malawi (EcoBank Economics and Business Award); Sandy McCowen, SABC, South Africa ((TV General News - News Bulletin Award); Dumisani Muleya, Zimbabwe Independent, Zimbabwe (Free Press Award); Sammy Muraya, Metro FM, Kenya (Radio General News Award); Joe Ombuor, freelance (Environment Award); Jacques Pauw, SABC, South Africa (TV Features Award); and Ramata Sore, L‘Evenement, Burkina Faso (Francophone Award, Print).