The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya, has unveiled plans for the upcoming Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards, set to hold on May 5, 2025, at the Africa Hall, Barcelona Hotel, Abuja.
The announcement was made during a press briefing at the NUJ National Secretariat in Abuja.
The prestigious event will coincide with World Press Freedom Day, celebrating two fundamental pillars of democracy: press freedom and good governance.
In his address, Yahya highlighted the vital role of a free and independent press in fostering democracy, transparency, and accountability.
He emphasized that a thriving democracy relies on the media to serve as a watchdog, ensuring that citizens are well-informed and empowered to hold their leaders accountable.
Yahya also acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria, including harassment, threats, and even the loss of lives in the line of duty. He stressed the importance of safeguarding journalists to enable them to continue their crucial work in protecting democratic values.
According to him,
“The Press Freedom Awards celebrate the core principles of press freedom and honor journalists who have shown exceptional courage, enduring harassment, imprisonment, or even risked their lives in pursuit of truth,” Yahya said.
The Good Governance Awards, Yahya explained, will serve as a benchmark for evaluating the performance of public and private sector leaders. These awards will highlight the achievements of individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and governance, setting a standard for accountability and fostering healthy competition among political officeholders and corporate leaders alike.
Yahya further stressed the interdependence of press freedom and good governance, noting that when journalists are free to report without fear of reprisal, good governance flourishes, ensuring that the benefits of democracy reach all citizens.
He said,
“Press freedom is a catalyst for good governance, and good governance, in turn, ensures that the dividends of democracy reach the citizens in real, tangible ways.”
In a call to action, Yahya urged all Nigerians, including NUJ members, to nominate individuals and organizations for the awards in the various categories:
The Torch Bearers of Press Freedom Awards, the Anyim Ude Prize for Best Investigative Reporter, the Defender of Press Freedom Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, among others. In the Good Governance category, awards will be presented for various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and transparency, among others.
He said nominations should be forwarded to to: pressfreedomandgoodgovernanceawards@nuj.ng
Nominations are open from today, February 5, 2025, and will close on March 28, 2025.
The highly anticipated Awards Night and Dinner will feature a keynote address on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom,” and will be broadcast live on national television and radio, bringing together Nigeria’s political elite, media personalities, policymakers, industry leaders, and representatives from the diplomatic community.
Yahya also stressed the partnership opportunities available for corporate bodies and individuals who wish to support the event. Several partnership categories, including Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, offer various benefits such as branding, seating arrangements, and the naming of award categories after partners.
As part of the NUJ’s ongoing commitment to upholding ethical journalism, Yahya called for the protection and safety of journalists, urging governments, institutions, and stakeholders to ensure that journalists can perform their duties without fear of reprisal.
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