The Nation Newspaper

Tag: dare

  • Editorial Adviser Dare lauds The Nation

    Editorial Adviser Dare lauds The Nation

    Reporters at The Nation have been encouraged to brace for more challenges next year.

    The charge came in a memo from the newspaper’s Editorial Adviser, Prof Olatunji Dare, to the Managing Director /Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Victor Ifijeh.

    Prof Dare, who did an appraisal of the newspaper in the outgoing year, said The Nation, despite closing the year on an enviable note, should do more to win more laurels as a clear leader in the journalism profession.

    The Professor of Journalism Emeritus commended  the award-winning reporters at the yearly Diamonds Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) and the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA), and the sub-editors who shaped the stories.

    The memo reads: “We are ending the year on a strong note. Not as strong in the previous two years when we won the largest number and the most prestigious prizes at the DAME awards and the NNMA, but a strong note nonetheless. The field was deeper and the competition keener, but we still came up in the top ranks of the newspaper industry.

    “At DAME, we placed second overall and won the award for Editorial Writing, a journalistic form that performs the important function of providing leadership on public issues, as well as the award for family-friendly reporting, confirming our status as a newspaper for the whole family.

    “At the NMMA, we won nine awards outright and placed second overall. Remarkably, our reporter, Innocent Duru, won four prizes, thus validating his designation as Print Journalist of the Year.

    Read Also: I am in love with Genk’s fans, says Arokodare

    “His awards came in such diverse fields as foreign affairs, public health, and tourism.  Our Southsouth editor won the Energy Correspondent of the Year award with an engrossing story on the oil industry and its depredation in the oil-producing areas, a story that combined excellent reporting with excellent writing.

    “I take some personal satisfaction in remarking their outstanding qualities at the time some of the stories were published and recommending that they be entered for the industry awards.

    “Congratulations to the winners and runners-up and all those who earned honourable mentions. Congratulations to the editor and his team for shaping the award-winning entries.

    “As in previous years, management created and sustained an environment that encouraged and rewarded outstanding work.

    “The jockeying for the 2025 awards is already in progress.  Our challenge is to regain lost territory and explore new areas with unwavering adherence to the ethics of the profession of journalism.

    “Best wishes to all for a productive and rewarding year, in good health and good cheer.”

  • Dare’s Day

    Dare’s Day

    Professor Olatunji Dare, the ace columnist, who was 80 yesterday, needs no further introduction. He joined the Octogenarian Club in a blaze of honour and glory. Some members of his constituency gathered in Lagos to mark the day, even though he is in faraway Chicago, United States, where family and friends also converged to celebrate him. So, Dare, the writer par excellence, is 80 plus one day today.

    On Tuesday in his backpage column in this paper, he wrote about his turning 80 yesterday, recalling that longevity runs in his family as his parents lived up to over 70 and 80, respectively. At yesterday’s colloquium organised by The Nation and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), a rare collaboration in the media world, to mark Dare’s birthday, speakers spoke glowingly about the erudite journalism teacher and practitioner, who caught all unawares with his Tuesday’s submission that he was an article away from taking a valedictory bow from column writing.

    My MD Victor Ifijeh was shocked by the surprise announcement as he drew my attention to the article titled: A preface to a valedictory. On entering my office on his way to his, which is just two doors away, the MD asked: S’o tika Dare? (Have you read Dare’s column?). Before I could answer him, he reached for the day’s paper on my table, went straight to Dare’s column, placed a finger on the last paragraph and said: ka (read).

    I read the paragraph which ran thus: ‘The column will take a valedictory bow next Tuesday’. I looked up and my eyes locked with the MD’s. We were both speechless, momentarily. When I found my voice, I asked: ‘Did he discuss this with you before writing?’ The MD shook his head sideways. Prof, as we call him around here, gave reasons for his actions, which we will come to later.

    The birthday colloquium, with the theme: Dare at 80: Same craft, changing times – The columnist as societal conscience was besides celebrating the eminent essayist, a forum for the media to reexamine itself in the wake of the prevailing political and socio-economic situation in the country. Dare is a known critic of the media and its offerings. To him, the duty of the media is to help in shaping the society to make it just and egalitarian for all.

    Though his absence was felt, it did not affect the quality of discourse on the occasion. Dare remained the focal point though, as the speakers noted how he has used his column over the years to contribute to national growth and development. He was described as a frank columnist who wrote without being beholden to the powers-that-be. Dare has always been more concerned about journalism of public service than self interest.

    The speakers were effusive in their praises. From the lead to the least speaker, everyone had good things to say about Dare. It was a superb outing to which his presence would have added more colour. In the gathering were some of his contemporaries, but many others were his students and those he mentored when he went into full-time journalism practice after leaving the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1988. Dare has seen it all as a teacher and practitioner. His teaching rubbed off on his practice.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints Walson-Jack as new Head of the Civil Service

    The practice of the theoretical aspect of what he taught others for many years became a rich blend which he utilised to the highest advantage. He could teach journalism and also practice it, unlike many other scholars who are only grounded in mass comm theory. It is to Dare’s credit that he is at home in the classroom and newsroom. Not many of his colleagues can make that smooth transition. They will feel like fish out of water.

    Since 1988 till now, he has been writing a weekly column, with focus on the collective good. His People First kind of journalism earned him his name. He could have written and made tons of money from those in power, who wanted to be friends with him, but he chose to be the conscience of the nation than the mouthpiece of those in power. He was in the vanguard of a public-oriented media too.

    Dare detests anything that makes the media to look cheap before others. He wants a media with its head high, not bowed on the altar of filthy lucre. His 36-year crusade as a regular columnist cutting across The Nation and The Guardian, and discounting those years that he contributed articles to the Daily Times and other papers, cannot be said to be wasted. Dare has played his part. He has run the race.

    It is not often that an academic leaves the gown for the town and returns to the ivory tower as Dare did. Today, he is Professor of Journalism, Emeritus at America’s Bradley University from where he retired in 2015. But is it time for him to retire from column writing? I understand the wear and tear that come with aging as he wrote in his column on Tuesday, being not a spring chicken myself.

    I also understand that he needs to attend to other pressing issues, especially family matters, in the twilight of life. I bet that if he listens to the keyboard sound again, he will hear it ‘whispering’: tarry, Prof; your proteges still want you around. Perhaps, for a year or two more to enable us to prepare for what we know is inevitable.

  • Four years after, Folarin, Dare, Adeyemo, Olaniyan, Zach, others converge on Ajimobi’s home

    Four years after, Folarin, Dare, Adeyemo, Olaniyan, Zach, others converge on Ajimobi’s home

    Dignitaries from all walks of life yesterday stormed the Oluyole, Ibadan home of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for the fourth year annual memorial fidau.

    A renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Muhydeen Bello, called on all political associates and party members of the late Ajimobi to be united and be together in honour of the former governor.

    In his brief sermon, Sheikh Bello urged the political class to be mindful of their actions, especially years after leaving office, noting that many people gathered at the event on account of what the late Ajimobi did while in office.

    He advised the people to live a life that would speak better things about them.

    The cleric called on the Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, to retrace his steps and be the rallying point for other members of the party.

    Read Also: Nigerians and silver bullets

    High point of the event was a prayer session and presentation of N200,000 grant to 25 indigent Oyo State students in tertiary institutions in the country.

    The presentation, made by the widow, Dr. Florence Ajimobi, was done through the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF), in the presence of guests, family members, political associates and party chieftains, who gathered to honour the first two-term governor of Oyo State.

    Some of the dignitaries, who attended the event, included the younger brother of the deceased, Wasiu Ajimobi; former Deputy Governor Alake Adeyemo; ex-Deputy Governor to Governor Seyi Makinde, Rauf Olaniyan; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), Zacheus Adelabu; Oyo 2023 APC governorship candidate, Senator Folarin; the three serving senators- Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), Fatai Buhari (Oyo North), Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central) and a former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Olalekan Alli.

    Others were: former Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare; ex-NCC board Chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande; former Oyo APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; Akeem Agbaje; ex- Health Commissioner, Dr Azeez Adeduntan; former ALGON Oyo chairmen, Prince Abass Aleshinloye, Yekeen Popoola, Kolapo Kola Daisi, Bisoye Fagade, Seyi Adisa, Kehinde Subair, Azeez Bolaji, Olayemi Ariba and Olatunji Olawale.

    The list also includes party chieftains, traditional rulers, former political appointees, ex-aides, family, friends, political associates, religious leaders, among others.

  • Dare lauds Ghana for hosting credible  African Games 2023

    Dare lauds Ghana for hosting credible  African Games 2023

    Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, has applauded Ghana on its remarkable hosting of the African Games 2023.

     Dare acknowledged Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Ussif, for their commitment towards sports development.

    He hailed the exceptional leadership of President Akufo-Addo and Minister Mustapha Ussif, saying  their dedication and vision in ensuring that Ghana was fully prepared to host the prestigious African Games. He commended the meticulous planning and execution by the Ghanaian government and its sports authorities, acknowledging their efforts in creating a conducive environment for athletes and participants from across the continent.

    “I salute the efforts of the Minister and his team. I have been to the venues and I think this is commendable. I was the chairman of the African Region 2 last year when we took the decision to ensure Ghana was given the 8 months it required to prepare,” Dare remarked.

    Read Also: Tinubu writes House, seeks repeal, re-enactment of Student Loan Bill

    He further expressed his satisfaction with Ghana’s ability to pull together such a grand event within the stipulated time frame it requested. “I am happy that in eight months, Ghana has been able to pull this together. It is a thing of pride for Africa. 54 countries are gathered here, 29 sports, and 7 different venues for the Games,” he added.

    Dare emphasized that hosting an event of the magnitude of the African Games necessitates the undivided support of the government, political will, a well-functioning ministry of youth and sports, and the collaborative efforts of various sports stakeholders. He lauded Ghana’s exemplary demonstration of these essential elements, which contributed to the success of the event and showcased the unity and strength of Africa’s sporting community.

    As the African Games 2023 continue to unfold, Chief Sunday Dare expressed optimism for the future of sports development in the region and reiterated his commitment to advancing the cause of youth and sports on the continent.

  • Experts laud Dare for improving Abuja, Lagos National Stadia

    Experts laud Dare for improving Abuja, Lagos National Stadia

    The immediate past Sports Minister Sunday Dare has been applauded for bequeathing the National Stadiums in Abuja and Lagos to the present administration in an improved state.

    The pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja had been abandoned for close to a decade and was becoming a breeding ground for livestock while that of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos had been rendered otiose for much longer with no efforts made to rehabilitate it.

    The former Sports Minister initiated the adopt a pitch programme and attracted the private sector in his aggressive drive to restore both national edifices to their glory days.

    Respected journalist Dare Esan said: “Sunday Dare should be commended for leaving both the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja in a much better state than he met them when he was appointed Sports Minister in August 2019.

    “For the Lagos Stadium, three key components, which are the track, pitch and digital score board have been delivered thanks to the adopt a pitch initiative which facilitated the private public partnership with the Premier Lotto group and its owner Pa Kensington Adebutu. The facility has been out of use for over two decades.

    “The track, an eight lane tartan track has been professionally laid and lined. It is a beauty to behold,” Esan added.

    Former Nigerian international athlete Mary Onyali praised the former Sports Minister for restoring her ‘former stomping ground and venue of her many national and international sprint triumphs’.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s tribunal victory foretold, says ex-Minister Dare

    “I am one of the happiest persons on earth right now with the delivery of the tartan track at the Lagos National Stadium. That stadium holds a special place in my heart and I thank Honourable Sunday Dare for delivering on his promise to rehabilitate the track and two other components of the edifice.”

    In a related development, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja has had its pitch rehabilitated with the water sprinklers to ensure good maintenance also in place as well as two new digital score boards. 

    For close to a decade, international matches could not be held in Abuja but since the rehabilitation which was bankrolled by the Dangote Group in 2021, all Nigerian national football teams have played international matches there.

  • Dare congratulates Fayemi

    A Frontline politician and a leading stakeholder in Oyo State politics, Mr. Sunday Dare, has congratulated the winner of the Ekiti State governorship election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    He described Fayemi’s victory as a well-deserved victory.

    In his twitter handle, Dare said: “Well-deserved. APC is stronger together.”

    According to Dare, “the lesson of the Ekiti governorship election is that we are stronger together as a party.

    “In the execution of the Ekiti election, the leading lights of Ekiti rallied and drove a campaign with vigor and conviction. From the leadership provided, from President Muhammadu Buhari to the governors and party leaders, there was a unity of purpose. This provided the energy that galvanised APC members into action. I was there four years ago when the PDP government brutalised and harassed us. I was stopped at the Ondo – Ekiti border along with other APC leaders and at a point, a gun was pointed at my head by one of the soldiers for daring to take pictures. My phone was seized and I was ordered to kneel down in surrender. This victory is a vindication of our faith in Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “I salute Fayemi for his faith in our system and for keeping his eye at the tip of the spear. We are excited and encouraged and APC is stronger together. The race to 2019 is on in earnest and our party is ever-ready to compete.”

     

  • No payment of bills again, residents dare IKEDC

    Residents of Santos, Onilekere, Onipetesi, Valley and Punch Estates in Alimosho and Ikeja Local Government Areas of Lagos had protested what they termed “exploitation and outrageous billing” by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).

    The protesters, who brandished placards with various inscriptions such as: “No prepaid meter, No payment”, “Evil thrives under darkness, give us light”, “Enough of one day on, two of days off”, “Replacing 15MVA Transformer with 7MVA is not acceptable,” among others.

    They called on IKEDC to urgently address their plights or risk more protest actions.

    Dressed in black clothes to express the state of black out that has continuously thrown the communities into quandary, the aggrieved protesters alleged that IKEDC staff kept bringing estimated bills despite being in black out for over 12 months.

    “It has become so bad that they give us estimated billings, they bring outrageous bills, there is a situation of five houses having a problem of total damage of electric cable yet they kept bringing bills as high as N13,000 monthly. So we are saying enough of this, if there is no power, we won’t pay. We can’t be paying for sunshine,” Chairman, Valley Estate Residents’ Association, Mike Urubusi said, adding “If we cannot get power, then there shouldn’t be any billing coming to our estates. We have been here several times, we have written series of letters to them and they have continually lied to us telling us there’s a transformer they are bringing from Epe. Later they say they are going to import transformers to areas affected and install a new one at Mangoro substation.”

    He alleged that IKEDC has refused to attend to the jaded transformer at Mangoro since January which serves a whole stretch of communities with an estimated 350,000 population according to 2006 census figures.

    “The transformer that broke down at Mangoro is 15MVA and what they’re bringing now is 7.5 MVA. How can 7.5MVA serve that stretch of communities,” Urubusi queried.

    He said the non-provision of pre-paid meters to the electricity consumers in the communities by IKEDC has led to exploitation of residents in the area through estimated billings which does not commensurate with the actual power consume by consumers.

    Another resident who simply identified himself as Amaechi said: “less than 5 per cent of houses in the communities have been provided with prepaid meters. We have written letters and dialogued with them, yet nothing has changed, we had to resort to this to drive home our demands.”

    Tosin Bada, a resident of Santos estate, said: “They put us on one-day on and two-day off (power shedding arrangement), which I have never heard of anywhere in Lagos state. Even during ‘On days’ we don’t get up to 4 hours of electricity supply.”

    The development, he said, has forced many residents to move out of the estates and “has largely contributed to redundancy among artisans and business owners in the communities as many have lost huge fortunes to the menace of power outage running into months.”

    IKEDC Head of Corporate Communications Felix Ofulue, said the issue will be address appropriately.

    “They have promised to officially send in their demands to Ikeja Electric. When that is done, we will address the issues appropriately. Protest is not a suitable method to resolve issues. Their issues will be addressed in a proper manner,” he said.

  • Awards haul: Edun, Dare hail The Nation

    Awards haul: Edun, Dare hail The Nation

     

    aa

    Members of Board of Directors of Vintage Press Limited, publisher of The Nation titles, were excited about the newspaper’s outing at the 25th Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) held in Victoria Island last Sunday.
    The Nation reporters won 13 prizes at the event, confirming the company’s rating as Nigeria’s leading newspaper. The awards were won out of the 26 nominations this newspaper received.
    While congratulating the winners, the Board chairman, Mr Wale Edun, said the feat was an indication of The Nation’s quality output in news reporting, feature writing and commentaries. He praised the management and the editorial staff for sustaining the culture of professionalism and ethical practice.
    He said: “Many congratulations to the winners on another great outing for the newspaper and the company. This achievement shows The Nation is a credible voice in the nation and possesses quality reports in news, feature writing, commentaries and analyses.
    “For democracy to be sustained in our nation, the media must be credible. The quality of a newspaper’s output must be high. With the awards, The Nation has shown leadership in this respect. I congratulate the winners.”
    The Nation Editorial Adviser and an Emeritus Professor of Journalism, Olatunji Dare, described the accomplishment as “another bountiful harvest”, saying it was the best way to round off the year.
    Dare congratulated the company’s editorial members and photographers, who won awards and recognition for their “superior work”, saying it was cheering the respected journalism veterans and industry leaders on the NMMA judges’ panel ranked the newspaper high among its competitors.
    He said: “Congratulations to management for continuing to provide the resources for doing outstanding journalism, despite the harsh operating environment. We have been honoured so many times in so many ways that some may have come to see our winning as a routine.
    “There is nothing routine about winning.  It comes with sustained commitment to producing the best work possible under the circumstances. It comes with commitment and dedication. Even as we celebrate, we must be relentless in our striving for excellence.”
    New Telegraph won in four categories from its 13 nominations.  The Punch won two prizes from its 14 nominations. Nigerian Tribune won three awards.
    The Guardian won in ttwo categories. The Sun won one award in the Cartoonist of the Year category.
    The Nation’s Associate Editor Olatunji Ololade won three awards— Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola Prize for Sports Reporting, Gani Fawehinmi Prize for Human Rights Reporting and Sonny Odogwu Prize for Business Reporting.
    The Head of Investigation Desk and multiple-award winner Adekunle Yusuf also won two awards—Adamu Mu’azu Prize for Tourism Reporting and Chevron Nigeria Prize for Oil and Gas Reporting.
    An Assistant Editor, Seun Akioye, won the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Prize for Culture and Tradition Reporting. He was a runner-up in the Olusegun Mimiko Prize for Foreign News Reporting category.
    Chief Correspondent on the Features Desk, The Nation on Sunday, Gboyega Alaka, won the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporting.
    Senior Finance Correspondent Collins Nweze won the Union Bank Prize for Banking and Finance Reporting and the UBA Prize for Money Market Reporting.
    An Assistant Editor on the Business Desk, Lucas Ajanaku, won the MTN Prize for Telecommunication Reporting.
    Senior Correspondent Adeyinka Aderibigbe won the Abubakar Imam Prize for Newspaper Feature Writer of the Year. Abiodun Williams won the Photographer of the Year.
    Reporter Hannah Ojo clinched the Etisalat Prize for Most Innovative Reporting.
    Others who made good showing in The Nation stable are Sina Fadare, Chikodi Okereocha, Joseph Jibueze, Innocent Duru, Azeez Ozi-Sanni and Olatunde Odebiyi, who were runners –up in various categories.
    New Telegraph’s Isioma Madike won two prizes—Energy Correspondent of the Year and Insurance Reporter of the Year.  His colleagues, Oluwatosin Omoniyi (Agric Reporter of the Year) and Juliana Francis (Defence Reporter of the Year).
    The Punch reporters Arukaino Umukoro won Real Estate/Construction Reporter of the Year and Dayo Oketola won the Power Reporter of the Year.
    Abuja-based Daily Trust won the Babatunde Jose Prize for Newspaper of the Year and its Editor, Nasiru Lawal, was declared Editor of the Year.
    In the television category, DSTV’s Yvonne Bassey clinched two awards – Cadbury Nigeria Plc Prize for Television Reporting, and Television Production of the Year. Channels TV’s Amarachi Ubani won Television Newscaster of the Year.
    Channels TV won the NBC Prize for Television Station of the Year. Its chairman Mr John Momoh led station’s employees to receive the award.
    Also, Ray Power FM picked the NBC Prize for Television Station of the Year, while Harriet Parkinson of Radio Nigeria won Radio Reporter of the Year.
    Also, this newspaper won five awards at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) held earlier this month. There were 20 awards offered.
    Yusuf beat Mary Fadile of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to win the Nigerian Press Council Prize for Editorial Integrity.
    Another Assistant Editor, Chikodi Okereocha, picked two awards. He won the News Agency of Nigeria Prize for Agriculture Reporting with his entry titled: “How smugglers hamper rice policy, frustrate investors”. Reporter Ojo was a finalist in this category.
    Okereocha’s second entry titled: “Devaluation: Harsh climate for manufacturers, workers” won the Aliko Dangote Prize for Business Reporting. Okereocha beat The Nation’s Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie and The Punch’s Nike Popoola. Iroegbu-Chikezie’s entry was Private sector grumbles as CBN defends its policies.
    Senior Correspondent Joseph Jibueze also clinched two DAME awards. He won the Mobil Producing Prize for Energy Reporting and Justice Omotayo Onalaja Prize for Judicial Reporting.
    Jibueze won the Judicial Reporting Prize for the third consecutive time, becoming the first reporter with such feat in DAME’s history.
    Ozi-Sanni, was a finalist in Vanguard Media Prize for Editorial Cartooning won by The Punch Bennett Omeke.

     

  • Meet Dare, NCC executive commissioner-designate

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, named the Special Adviser (Media) and Chief of Staff to former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Mr Sunday Dare, as the executive commissioner for Stakeholders’ Management of the National Communications Commission (NCC).

    Dare, who hails from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, will take office after confirmation by the Senate.

    This versatile journalist comes ready made for the job. Before his job with Tinubu, Dare worked with many reputable oganisations, including the Voice of America (VOA) and The News and Tempo, where he was general editor.

    Throughout his career in print and broadcast, Dare contributed to publications, such as The Nation magazine in New York, 4th Estate magazine, Reporters Sans Frontières and Boston-based Dollara and Sense.

    In 1998, Dare won a Freedom Forum grant to be a journalism fellow at New York University. He is also a Nieman Fellow and received special recognition from the Committee to Protect Journalists for his work in Nigeria.

    Some of his reports, which drew the wrath of Nigeria’s military dictators, included an exclusive interview with Gen. Domkat Bali, the Defence minister in Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime, in which Bali exposed the deceit and fraud of the Gen. Babangida regime. After the interview was published, Dare, his editors, and Bali were forced into hiding to avoid arrest, and the administration seized 100,000 copies of the magazine.

     Dare was also involved in a series of report, which exposed the terminal illness of the late military dictator, Sani Abacha. The report so angered the government that it ordered a manhunt for Dare and his editors.

    Dare was a member of a team, which worked on a project: “The Business of War”, which won the 2003 Sigma Delta Chi award for independent investigative reporting.

    While he was head of VOA’s Hausa Service, Dare was responsible for directing the staff and its activities in preparing three 30-minute programmes for broadcast each day. He spent eight years at the VoA in Washington, D.C.

    He is a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. He was also a 2011 Reuters Fellow at Oxford University, where he researched the use of social media, citizen journalists and other new tools used by Nigerian news organisations.

  • Edun, Dare congratulate The Nation on DAME feat

    Edun, Dare congratulate The Nation on DAME feat

    Encomiums have continued to pour in for The Nation, following its harvest of awards at the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) last weekend.

    Chairman, Board of Director of Vintage Press Limited, publisher of The Nation, Mr Wale Edun, and the Editorial Adviser, Emeritus Professor Olatunji Dare, congratulated the company for the feat. They described the achievement as “multiple triumphs” and a reward for excellent journalism to which the paper committed itself.

    Of the 14 prizes in the print category, this newspaper won five, which represents the highest by reporters from any media organisation in the country.

    The Punch also won five awards. Of these, two were by reporters (Development Reporting and Insurance Reporting), while the other three are institutional awards (Editorial Writing, Newspaper of the Year and Editor of The Year).

    Edun, in his congratulatory message to the management, said: “I say many congratulations on the multiple triumphs for our organisation at the last DAME Award. We rejoice with the winners, as we continue to be proud of the hard work and effort of all at Vintage Press Limited.”

    “It is another bountiful harvest,” Dare described the multiple awards, stressing that the commanding performance of the newspaper showed that The Nation did not relapse into complacency.

    He, however, cautioned the company not to be carried away by the accolades, saying the newspaper must strive for improvement in its reportage.

    Dare said: “Another year, and another bountiful harvest at the DAME Awards, evidence that our commanding performance last year did not lull us into complacency. Congratulations to our editors and correspondents on sustaining their prize-winning form.

    “Congratulations to management on providing an environment in which such outstanding journalism can flourish. The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. Even as we celebrate, we must be unyielding in our striving for improvement.”