By G.U Chukwu
A Nigerian Journalist, Odimegwu Onwumere has made it to the final stage at the maiden edition of West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards held Saturday night, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra, Ghana.
Onwumere emerged finalist in the Anti-Corruption Reporting Category, with his article published in ‘The Nigerian Voice’, Nigeria.
A statement by a three member judges of the awards in the persons of Ms. Sophie Ly, Mr. Lanre Idowu, and Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, over 400 published stories that were sent in by journalists from 12 countries across West Africa. 15 journalists made the finalists from six categories.
Jesusegun Alagbe of The Punch, Nigeria, won in the Anti-Corruption Reporting Category.
Commenting, Onwumere expressed delight for being a finalist, adding that it is an indication that he is doing better in his chosen career.
He added that objective journalism pays better than an oppressive government anywhere in the world, especially such that Nigerians have come to endure in the recent times in the name of democracy.
Onwumere said that objective journalism is hated by oppressive leaders but journalists inclined in objectivity in their reportage would stop at nothing to expose the highhandedness of the looting leaders and keep in touch with the different communities of their ill behaviours.
He, therefore, called on moneybags and the authorities to help journalism and journalists in this clime, by pumping in money to sustain them.
