The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has concluded arrangements to celebrate 2018 Press Freedom Day by giving awards to deserving journalists, corporate organisations and media owners.
The National Secretary of the NUJ, Mr Shuaibu Leman, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, urged stakeholders to nominate individuals and corporate bodies for recognition.
According to him, the event is being organised to motivate journalists, promote press freedom, good governance and democracy in Nigeria through recognising courageous journalists who have risked their lives by reporting on critical news events.
“Many journalists have faced threats, harassment, physical injury, imprisonment, death in the course of their assignments. They need to be recognised and celebrated.
“The awards are in four categories and will be given to reporters, publishers, editors, photo journalists, cartoonists, in newspaper houses, TV and radio stations, online and social media who have faced harassment, threat, physical injury, imprisonment, death, or shown extraordinary courage in their line of duties
“These categories of nominees will be given Defender of Freedom Awards.
“There will also be seasoned media practitioners and media owners award to those who have shown extraordinary resilience and brilliance, and/or have provided media platforms for journalists to practice their craft and have supported press freedom,” he said.
The national secretary pointed out that those in that category of supporting the press freedom will also be given Life Time Achievement award.
He said that Political and public office holders who are considered most media friendly and have actively supported press freedom would also be considered for award of ‘Distinguished Friend of the Press’.
Leman said that Corporations (private or public) who are adjudged media friendly and have supported press freedom will be given Corporate Friend of the Media Awards.
The awards night and dinner will hold on May 3, 2018 at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja at 17:00 hours.
The ceremony will be part of NUJ’s celebration of the International Press Freedom Day 2018.
A distinguished guest speaker Senator Shehu Sani is expected to deliver the awards lecture on Press Freedom, Democracy and Nation Building in Nigeria.
He said the occasion will be a gathering of crème de la crème of Nigeria’s media icons, policy makers, technocrats, captains of industry, diplomatic corps, civil society and multilateral agencies.
Leman said nominations should be forwarded to: pressfreedomawards@nuj.org.ng (NAN)
