Nigeria Content Online

Two
NEXT reporters – Clara Nwachukwu, assistant business editor, and Daniel
Osunkoya, business reporter – have been nominated for the Diageo Africa
Business Reporting Awards.

Diageo, the world’s
leading premium drinks manufacturer, on Tuesday, announced finalists
for the eleven categories in the seventh annual awards ceremony.

Ms. Nwachukwu’s
story: ‘Adenuga’s Conoil owes N100 billion in taxes’ was nominated in
the Best Business News Story category, while Mr. Osunkoya’s portfolio
of three features: ‘Nigerian banks in battle of transparency,’
‘Flooding in luxury estates’ and ‘We fear for bonds’ were selected for
the Best Newcomer category.

According to the statement, over 750 entries were received from 20 countries across Africa and the rest of the world.

At a gala ceremony
in London on Thursday, July 1, where a panel of eminent judges will
select the winners of each category, Ms. Nwachukwu’s piece would
compete with stories by Felix Dela Klutse (Daily Guide Newspaper,
Ghana) and Bankelele (Bankelele, Kenya). Mr. Osunkoya’s stories would
contend with features written by Pia Minchener (African Decisions,
South Africa) and Gemma Ware (The Africa Report, France).

Obiageli
Ezekwesili, vice president of the World Bank, Africa Region, is
expected to be the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony. Ms.
Ezekwesili served as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, and then as
Federal Minister of Education in Nigeria during the second term
presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo.

Proud of achievement

Commenting on her
nomination, Ms. Nwachukwu said, “This Diageo Award is particularly
significant because there have been (few or) no Nigerian in the
competition since the award was instituted, and this makes the award
special and unique because it will be a first for Nigeria. I am happy
for NEXT Newspapers for building a culture of professionalism.”

Mr. Osunkoya said:
“It’s a great honour and privilege to be nominated in this year’s
awards. I say a big thank you to NEXT for providing the platform, and
Diageo for the encouragement.” Devlin Hainsworth, managing director of
Guinness Nigeria, a subsidiary of Diageo, said the finalists represent
“those who are leading the way in creating a more balanced view of
business reporting on Africa. The shortlisted entrants have gone the
extra mile in reporting the opportunities and challenges of doing
business in Africa and have thoroughly investigated issues that matter
to business communities locally, regionally and internationally.

“The record
breaking number of entries from across the globe reflects the increase
in business reporting on Africa in 2009/2010. Also, the type of entries
we have received also indicates a shift in the way that news is being
delivered to audiences, with many more entrants being online citizen
journalists and bloggers.”

He added that with over 750 entries received for the award this
year, “those shortlisted in their category should be immensely proud of
their achievements and contribution to promoting a more accurate
understanding of the business environment in Africa.”