By Veshe Ofeii
As part of activities to roundup the 2021 world press day which commenced on Monday, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has said it unanimously picked the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, NNPC, the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Chinedum Orji and Mr. Akparawa Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen, the Chief of Staff to Akwa Ibom State Governor for its award because of their friendly disposition to the media.
For the defender of press freedom awards, Senator Jibrin Barau, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Dr. Samson Agada Omale, Managing Director, Rock Global Investment Network Ltd, London and Chief James Ume, Chairman, Whistler Communications Ltd scaled through the nomination process, NUJ, said.
While Mr. Tony Akiotu, the Group Managing Director, Daar Communications and Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, Director General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The National Secretary of the Union, Midat Joseph, in a statement said Gbajabiamila will deliver a lecture on Press Freedom, Democracy and Good Governance, while Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Jibrin Barau will be the Chairman of the event on Wednesday May 5th at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja.
The Union stated that the event is geared to motivate Journalists, promote press freedom, and stimulate good governance and democracy in Nigeria, through the recognition of courageous journalists (dead or alive) who have risked their lives by reporting news events beneficial to the society.
The statement added: “To this end, we delightfully announce that the NUJ’s selection committee in partnership with Enentis Communications Ltd had completed the selection process of these distinguished Nigerians, corporate organizations and members of the media for a special award to be given on the May 5th, 2021 in Abuja.
“Press Freedom Platform Awards will be given to Arise News Television and Nigeria Info FM. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Access Bank were selected as corporate friends of the media awards.”
About Seventeen Journalists who have suffered acts of brutality, harassment, arrest, imprisonment and assaults in the course of the work were also selected for awards.