Africa media foundation lists 11 finalists for journalism award

The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has unveiled 11 finalists for the 2024 AMDF Journalist of the Year Award.

In a statement on Friday, the foundation said the finalists come from various media categories, including print, online, photo, television, and radio journalism.

The AMDF said finalists were selected from a highly competitive pool of submissions, adding that they have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and commitment to reporting on critical issues that affect the continent.

Finalists for the online category include Abdulraheed Hammad — The Cable, Nigeria; Arinze Chizioke — Ripples Nigeria; and Kei Emmanuel Duku — One Citizen Newspaper, South Sudan.

Journalists for the photo category are Ayodele Isaac — The Nation Newspaper, Nigeria; and Olugbon Saheed Adedoyin — The Punch Newspaper, Nigeria.

For the print category, the journalists include Nyima Sillah — The Voice Newspaper, Gambia; Segun Odunayo — The Punch Newspaper, Nigeria; and Taiwo Alimi — The Nation Newspaper, Nigeria.

Journalists selected for the television category include Adeyemi Adekunle — Lens Africa TV, Nigeria; Chernor Mustapha Thoronka — Apex Multi-Media Co-op, Sierra Leone; and Ibrahim Ismail — Trust TV, Nigeria.

The AMDF said in addition to these categories, it would also present the Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalistic Excellence to Anselm Okolo, a distinguished veteran journalist whose career has significantly contributed to development in Africa.

“Mr. Okolo will be honored for his enduring commitment to excellence and impactful contributions to society through journalism,” the statement reads.

“The winners and runners-up will be announced during the Africa Conference on Development Journalism, taking place from December 4-5, 2024, in Kaduna, Nigeria.

“This event will bring together journalists, media professionals, and stakeholders to discuss the role of journalism in driving development and social change in Africa.”

Sekyen Dadik, executive director of AMDF, said the organisation is incredibly proud of all the finalists and their contributions to journalism.

“Their work exemplifies the importance of holding powerful interests to account and shedding light on critical issues that impact our communities,” Dadik said.