News
NUJ sets N1m award for 2024 Investigative Journalist winner
An investigative journalist, whose work has local and international impact adjudged as the best in the entry for the 2024 NUJ Press Freedom Award would go home with a cash prize of N1 million, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Chris Isiguzo has said.
Isiguzo, who addressed a world press conference, said the NUJ will introduce the investigative award in the 2024 edition to promote the constitutional mandate given to the journalist as an agenda setter and advocate of good governance.
The President of the Union said, “Press freedom is the cornerstone for building fair and impartial institutions. Press freedom is a catalyst in the mobilisation of the citizenry to hold their leaders accountable as well as promote speaking truth to power.”
He noted that “the press is the fourth arm of government and recognised this in the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended.
Therefore, “it is the duty of the press to hold the government and citizens accountable at different levels.”
He said their decision this year was to combine the Good Governance Awards with the Press Freedom Awards as part of this mandate to showcase performances by various administrators.
He said the Press Freedom Awards, which celebrate the important principles of press freedom, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty,
Isiguzo said since press freedom is an indispensable pillar in the architecture of democracy anywhere in the world, no democracy can thrive without citizen’s adequate access to transparent and reliable information.
According to him, “Many journalists in Nigeria have faced harassment, threats, physical injury, imprisonment, and even death in the course of discharging their legitimate duties.
It is the courage and sacrifice of these journalists that we are celebrating by organising the 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards.
Isiguzo said, “Torch Bearers of Press Freedom Awards will be given to journalists who have faced harassment, physical injury, imprisonment, or death in their line of duty.
“Best Investigative Reporter of the Year Award will be given to the reporter who has done the best investigative reporting in the year under review.
“The story must have a significant positive national and international impact, have led to system improvements, and have enhanced the citizens’ quality of life.
“Press Freedom Platform Awards will be given to media houses that have supported press freedom
“Corporate Friend of the Media Awards will be given to corporate organisations that have supported press freedom.
“Defender of Press Freedom Awards will be given to experienced journalists and other Nigerians who have actively defended press freedom
“Lifetime Achievement Awards will be given to those who have shown resilience in supporting press freedom and/or have provided media platforms for journalists to practice their craft.
Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved an increment in the monthly state allowance for corps members serving in the state from N5,000 to N20,000.
Mr Eno made the announcement on Friday during the state delivery meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo.The increment will take effect from Aug. 1st.
The governor said that the increment was to support the Federal Government’s N77,000 monthly allowance, toward helping corps members meet their basic needs.“
More than 10, 000 corps members are posted to Akwa Ibom annually. We must continue to encourage and support them,” Mr Eno said.
It would be recalled that the governor, last week, approved the reconstruction of the NYSC orientation camp at Ikot Itie Idung, as part of efforts to improve the welfare of corps members in the state.
(NAN)
Troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) under Operation Lafiyan Jama’a have neutralized several bandits during joint operations in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A statement issued on Friday by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) stated that the clearance operation which took place on Thursday, July 3, led to the killing of scores of bandits.
The statement reads: “In continuation of ongoing efforts to rid the Joint Operations Area (JOA) of criminal elements, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN under Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A have sustained aggressive kinetic operations in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, yielding commendable outcomes.
“On 3 July, 2025, troops carried out a clearance operation in the rugged terrains of Tulus and Hokk Communities, located along the Plateau–Nasarawa State border.
“During the mission, contact was made with armed militias in Hokk, leading to a brief but decisive firefight. Several bandits were neutralised, while others fled into surrounding forests.
“Troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the area and, though no further contact was established, have maintained control through mobile and static patrols to disrupt any regrouping attempts.
“These successful actions reaffirm the resolve of security forces to dismantle criminal syndicates and prevent the proliferation of illicit weapons threatening peace and security within the Joint Operations Area.”
After 13 days in captivity, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a Bayelsa State High Court Judge, who was kidnapped by gunmen, has been released.
The judge was abducted on June 21, 2025, around 7pm by gunmen dressed in combat fatigue in front of a popular eatery at the Ekeki suburb of Yenagoa.
It was gathered that Justice Omukoro was released on Thursday evening and is still with security operatives.
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