The correspondent of The Nation newspapers in Anambra State, Emma Elekwa, has won the Anambra Journalist of the Year organised by the Association of Digital Media Core Advocates (ADMCA).
Elekwa was announced the winner of the prize at the 5th Edition of the Anambra Media Excellence Award (AMEA) together with reporter, TVC News, Bamidele Ajayi as TV reporter of the year as well as Godwin Offor of Akelicious.net, who won Blogger of the year.
Personalities who won other awards included former Managing Director, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Dr Uche Nworah (Media Man of the Year), State Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ifeatu Obiokonye (Leadership Excellence Award) and Chief Mike Nweke Okechukwu (Special AMEA Recognition Award) among others.
Speaking during the ceremony, Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Don Onyenji said the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate media practitioners in the state for their immense contributions in shaping the society.
He said: “Every other sector is being projected by the media, medicine, politics, economy. But who’s promoting the media? So it’s important they’re appreciated by other people.
“This kind of event means a lot to practitioners of the industry. It’s an opportunity to know that someone somewhere is assessing what you are doing.
“As an intricate, sensitive job, from one’s thought, the concept of delivery, sense of creative ingenuity and balancing, all these tell much about how media practitioners are modelling their society and changing the narratives.”
While congratulating the awardees as well as the Convener for his dedication and sacrifice, the Commissioner promised partnership with the state government for the sustainability of the project.
Earlier, the national president of ADMCA, Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili, described AMEA as a big stage with a big screen that had produced several media aides and consultants to government functionaries and politicians.
He said: “We’ve always ensured our awardees are core practitioners in the state. The award is tied around celebrating professionalism and excellence in journalism.
“When you’re working, there’s this consciousness that the ‘big brother’ is watching. If you do good, you’ll be celebrated, if you do bad, you’ll be relegated to the background. Nobody celebrates garbage.
“AMEA is a big stage with a big screen because it doesn’t end here, it goes viral. Those who will hire you are watching. We’ve been able to produce media aides and consultants to governments and political bigwigs from our past awardees.
“Today, we celebrated Anambra Journalist of the Year, a workaholic one for that matter, Emma Elekwa for distinguishing himself. Also, we’ve been watching the TVC reporter, Asiwaju, and he’s been doing well. He’s a no-nonsense journalist who should be celebrated.”
Responding, Elekwa expressed appreciation to God for the wisdom, zeal, and passion bestowed on him to carry out his duty, just as he thanked the benefactor for finding him worthy of the award.
He also appreciated his media outfit, The Nation newspapers for providing the platform that gave him prominence.
He said: “I must confess that the award came to me as a surprise. Not that I didn’t merit it, but as someone who prefers working behind the scenes, little did I know that I was being monitored remotely.”
While dedicating the award to God and his colleagues in the pen profession, Elekwa said the award would spur him to be more dedicated to his assignments.
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