From Book Launch To Top Honour: Oketola Wins Editor of the Year At DAME

Just two months after the public presentation of his book, “The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens”, the immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, has been named Editor of the Year at the prestigious Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

Oketola was adjudged Editor of the Year at the 33rd edition of DAME. At the same time, Niyi Adesina, Editor of The Nation, and Femi Adekoya, Editor of The Guardian, emerged as first and second runners-up, respectively.

The PUNCH was also adjudged the Newspaper of the Year, among other awards.

Commenting on the industry accolade via his social media handles, the consummate editor, said, ” I attended the 33rd edition of the DAME in Lagos on Saturday, November 30, 2024, as a guest. I had no inkling that I was nominated and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be standing on the podium as the Editor of the Year. It was an incredible surprise, and I am truly grateful to God for the opportunity.

“I was a runner-up at the DAME last year and today, the award is in the bag, following our exploits at the Nigeria Media Merit Award in 2023. It’s a huge testament to our capacity, consistency, and grit as well as an objectively unbiased assessment of our contributions.”

In his remarks, the organisers of the awards,  Mr Lanre Idowu, said the awards were tokens of appreciation for good work and a source of encouragement for greater productivity.

Idowu, also the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Publications Ltd. and Editor-in-Chief of Media Review, said that DAME was in pursuit of excellence and would maintain high quality.

He said that DAME had to drop 10 categories of the awards because there were no quality entries on them.

He urged those willing to participate in subsequent editions of the awards to work harder.

“Indeed, the central message of the stories that have been nominated for awards today is one of hope, of the need for a better society, and of a belief that Nigeria can and will be better,” he noted.

Recall that the erstwhile Editor, The PUNCH  recently held an exaugural lecture to mark the end of his assignment as Editor of The PUNCH and the public presentation of his book.

The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi.

At the event, Obasanjo emphasised Nigeria’s potential to attract investment and foster economic growth. He underscored the importance of creating a conducive environment for investment and called for a commitment to character, understanding, and knowledge to transform Nigeria into a prosperous nation free from insecurity and hardship.

Oketola had recently embarked on #thecatalystbooktour, an international platform  to engage with readers and friends while talking about tech, innovation, and advocating for the reading culture in local communities

Talking about his book already online and in bookstores in Abuja and Lagos, the former PUNCH editor, said, ” The book offers a comprehensive chronicle of Nigeria’s telecommunications evolution, which began with the introduction of GSM in 2001, to the vibrant and competitive industry we witness today.  It also highlights the bold initiatives that opened the sector to private investment, leading to over $70 billion in capital inflow and the creation of over 500,000 jobs.”

The origins and visionaries behind Nigeria’s mobile revolution were explored in the book, according to him, adding that the work highlights the exclusion of people with disabilities, advocating for more inclusive design.

“It further examines the Nigerian Communications Commission’s role in regulating and advancing the sector and investigates the operational challenges faced by NigComSat-1R. The vital role of social media in combating Ebola, the empowerment of female farmers through mobile technology, and the contributions of prominent Nigerian women in tech were also discussed,” Oketola noted.

“The book not only provides valuable insights into strategies for unlocking the full potential of the digital economy while promoting inclusive growth, but it also serves as a testament to the extraordinary progress achieved and a poignant reminder of the ongoing efforts required to ensure that the benefits of this revolution reach every citizen. For your copies, please visit https://rhbooks.com.ng/product/the-catalyst-nigerian-tech-evolution-through-a-journalists-lens/. You can also visit my website – https://dayooketola.com/books/,” he added.