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NEXT Newspaper was, on Sunday, awarded Nigeria’s Best Designed Newspaper, at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

Held in Lagos to review media performance for 2009,
the 19th edition of the awards saw 24 prizes going to individuals and
organisations in print journalism, broadcasting, and advertising.
According to the organisers, the annual event is aimed at recognising
excellence and encouraging professionalism in the media industry. DAME
is organised by Diamond Publications, publishers of Media Review. Lanre
Idowu, the Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Publications, said the
awards will be helpful in a world where role models are increasingly
difficult to come by. “Even though there is a rot around us, when we
set our minds to it, we will pick different gems,” he said.

NEXT was nominated for two awards: the ‘Best Designed
Newspaper’ and ‘Child Friendly Newspaper’. The Punch was awarded the
Newspaper of the year; Newsmagazine of the Year went to Tell; Editorial
Writing went to The Nation for its piece, Yar Adua: The constitution is
supreme, while Editorial integrity award went to Olusola Fabiyi of
Punch, for his report on Ekiti rerun: Police quiz INEC staff over
bribery row.

Other categories

Press reporter of the year was awarded to Sesan
Olufowobi, also of Punch, for his report on Abu, a three-year-old
Nigerian, who was rescued from human traffickers and was later reunited
with his family after six months. Radio reporter of the year went to
Funke Oluremi for her report on malpractice in primary school education
in Oyo State, Nigeria. ‘A vote for corruption’ won 25-year-old Nurudeen
Oyewole of National Standard the award for Political reporting, where
he reported a move by the National Assembly to pass a bill that will
provide for the police to seek legislative approval before the arrest
or prosecution of any legislator.

Health Reporting Award went to Juliana Ezeoke, of Tell, for ‘Another
neglected goose’, her report on alternative herbal medicine in the
country and difficulties experienced in its exportation, which affects
the competitiveness of the industry with an established one like the
Chinese industry. The TV Documentary Award went to Emmanuel Ubaka for
his report on Arochukwu in Abia State; he reported its history and how
its past events have helped shape the kingdom’s history. Other awardees
included Sina Fadare, Adenike Ppoola, and Bayoor Ewuoso, who got prizes
for Agriculture Reporting, Insurance Reporting and Action Photography
respectively.