The Nation wins four awards at NMMA

WITH four awards, The Nation at the weekend confirmed its rating at the prestigious Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA) in Lagos.

In all, 54 awards were given at the well attended event, the 22nd edition. The awards included three which were given to distinguished Nigerians for their outstanding contributions to the society.

Editorial Board Chairman Sam Omatseye emerged the Columnist of the Year. Assistant Editor Olatunji Ololade was the centre of attraction at the ceremony. Ololade, who had four nominations, clinched two awards – the Ernest Sisei Ikoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year (which he has won for the past three years) and the BAT Prize for Industry Reporter of the Year, which he also won last year.

Senior Cartoonist Muyiwa Adetula maintained his winning streak, emerging the Nnamdi Azikwe Cartoonist of the Year.

Omatseye, who is in the United States attending a conference, was delighted to learn that he won the award.
He said: “I’m delighted to win for The Nation and myself.”
He had a word for his readers and critics.

Omatseye said: “I thank the critics of my column and urge them to know that I write to reflect my deep love for Nigeria. I’m entitled to my views as they are entitled to others.”
Ololade said he was pleased to win the awards, adding: “Again, I am flattered by the awards. I appreciate the recognition. I also appreciate the facilities provided by The Nation to foster Feature Journalism that remains the fruit of experience and an enduring training process. With such encouragement, I can only aspire to higher standards of journalism practice. Development Journalism is a crucial factor in our march for societal progress and ideal journalism practice; that efforts meant to shed light on our societal lapses are being adequately rewarded shows how far we have come in our quest for and appreciation of the ideal practice. I hope my colleagues doing great work across various media never get to rest on their oars.”
Adetula described the award as a motivation for him to aspire to greater heights.

He said: “I’m highly overwhelmed, yet immensely grateful for this award. I would like to thank the Board of Trustees of NMMA and the management of The Nation for giving me the opportunity to be a change agent.”