The Tide Staff, Others Bag NUJ Awarda

A staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (The Tide), Mr Tonye Orabere of the Sports Desk, has won the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council Best Sports Writer Award of the year, 2011.

Othes are Anayo Onukwugha of the Leadership Newspaper who won the Best Political Reporter Award, Chris Eze of Fresh Facts newspaper won the Best Business Reporter Award and Ndu Ajie of the Rivers State Television bagged the Best Judiciary Reporter of the year, while Abraham Ajaero of Scroll Magazine won the Rivers State Journalist of the year and Best Investigative Reporter Award.

Speaking during the ceremony held at the ministry of Justice Conference Room, Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt last Thursday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari stressed the need for journalists to partner with the government in its efforts to move the state forward, and lauded the state council of the NUJ for boosting the practice of journalism.

Mrs Semenitari, who was represented by the Director of Press in the ministry of Information and Communications, Mr Dike Onyije also called on journalists to redouble their efforts and abide by the ethics of the profession in their reportage and charged all to regard professional excellence as their watchword.

Earlier in his speech, the state chairman of NUJ, Mr Opaka Dokubo said the award was aimed at encouraging journalists in the state to work hard but expressed regret over the number of entries despite the extended period of calling for entries.

He said the ceremony was to ensure that only journalists who were qualified and practising in the state participated, and congratulated all that won awards and those who were not chosen to put in more efforts next time, as the occasion would be an annual event.

Commenting on the award, Mr Tonye Orabere gave glory to God and said it would spur him to work hard, “saying, “Award is a reward for hardwork.”

Mr Orabere attributed the award to hardwork and determination, and thanked the organisers for recognising hardwork.

Shedie Okpara