… as Prisca Sam-Duru of Vanguard Newspaper receives N5 million award for two decades of outstanding reporting on NLNG prizes

Oredola Adeola

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has launched the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting for energy correspondents, enhancing its commitment to journalism development and investigative reporting.

This initiative expands NLNG’s sponsorship portfolio of prestigious literary awards to four (4), which now includes The Nigeria Prize for Literature, The Nigeria Prize for Science, and The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.

Mr. Andy Odeh, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, made the announcement during a special event on Friday, held in Lagos to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Nigeria Prizes.

Speaking on the theme “Celebrating the Voices of Impact: Nigeria Prizes @ 20,” Odeh praised journalists for their exceptional coverage of the Nigeria Prizes over the years and encouraged them to embrace creativity in their reporting styles beyond traditional press releases.

Odeh emphasized the media’s crucial role in raising awareness of the Nigeria Prizes, inspiring new generations of writers and scientists, and fostering a vibrant intellectual community.

A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of a N5 million award to Prisca Sam-Duru, a Senior Arts Correspondent with Vanguard Newspaper, in recognition of her outstanding news reporting on NLNG prizes over the past two decades.

This award was presented by Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at NLNG.

Sam-Duru was selected based on her reporting skills by a panel comprising Taiwo Obe, founder of The Journalism Clinic, veteran broadcaster Ms. Kadaria Ahmed, and communications expert Mr. Chidorum Nwakanma.

Advisors Reports gathered that the judges’ evaluation process involved secretly gathering clippings of journalists’ works without public calls for entries.

Other journalists honoured for their dedication to the NLNG’s Nigeria Prizes included Mr. Terh Agbedeh, recognized as the most consistent journalist, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo for his versatility; Mrs. Chidinma Agwu for punctuality; and Mr. Sopuruchi Onwuka for being the most engaging.

NLNG highlighted that these recognitions reflect the media’s vital role in sustaining public interest and elevating the profile of the Nigeria Prizes over the years.

Mrs. Palmer-Ikuku also took a moment to celebrate the birthday of Mr. Tony Okuyeme, a journalist in attendance who turned 60 that day.

Mrs. Funke Egbemode, prominent Nigerian journalist and media executive, in her keynote address titled “Celebrating Voices of Impact: The NLNG Story,” underscored the transformative power of the human voice, particularly when harnessed for societal good.

She drew parallels between personal expression and NLNG’s broader societal impact, praising the company for its long-standing contributions to literature and science.

Egbemode remarked that by sponsoring the prestigious Nigeria Prizes for Science, Literature, and Literary Criticism, NLNG has not only preserved Nigeria’s rich literary heritage but also fueled a renaissance of new talent, enhancing Nigeria’s global profile in these fields.

She further lauded the role of the media in amplifying NLNG’s efforts and recognized journalists as “voices of impact” who have shaped public discourse around the Nigeria Prizes for the past 20 years.

The former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in her remark concluded by stating that the partnership between NLNG and the media has been vital in ensuring the company’s contributions resonate well beyond the oil and gas sector, illuminating Nigeria’s achievements on both national and international stages.

During the event, a discussion session moderated by veteran journalist Àníkẹ́adé Funke Treasure featured Mr. Tayo Fagbule, Editor of Business Day Nigeria Newspapers, and Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi, former Special Assistant on Digital/New Media to President Buhari and Director of WoweMedia.

The conversation highlighted the evolving role of journalism in shaping public discourse and the importance of proper documentation.

The panelists emphasized that in today’s digital landscape, preserving content and historical records is more crucial than ever.

The discussants also warned about the dangers of neglecting thorough documentation, noting that a lack of it could result in a loss of institutional memory, misrepresentation of facts, and a diminished ability to influence narratives.

They argued that proper archiving is essential for ensuring that Nigeria’s cultural, literary, and scientific achievements remain accessible, fostering deeper engagement and recognition beyond the country’s borders.

The event, themed “Celebrating the Voices of Impact,” brought together influential writers, journalists, and industry leaders to honor the media’s invaluable contributions to the success of the Nigeria Prizes.