Claire Mom named TheCable journalist of the year

Claire Mom is TheCable journalist of the year, the newspaper’s management announced on Wednesday.

The award, which comes with a cash prize of N250,000, recognises journalists within the ranks of TheCable who have demonstrated industry, resilience and self-motivation as well as having produced impact stories and won awards during the year.

Chinedu Asadu — who now works with the Associated Press (AP), an American non-profit news agency — and Taiwo Adebulu, features and investigations editor of TheCable, won the awards in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Vivian Chime, James Ojo, and Busola Aro were joint winners of the award in 2022. 

Mom, who joined TheCable in 2022, was a finalist for the award same year.

According to the newspaper’s management, she was selected as the winner of this year’s award owing to her versatility, hard work, creativity, resilience, personal development, passion, and quality of work.

Her detailed and impactful reports cut across development journalism and fact checks.

Mom reported how a string of anonymous Facebook accounts incited violence by spreading false information during the general election.

In the article, she exposed the activities of a network of accounts instigating ethnic and religious tensions, and a false allegation of bribery involving President Bola Tinubu and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Courtesy of the publication, she became the first Nigerian female reporter to be named runner-up in the working journalist category of the African Fact-Checking Awards.

Mom also detailed the human rights abuses Boko Haram repentants endured under the military and reported on the mental struggle doctors are battling in the Nigerian health care system.

ORILOYE IS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

A new category of “employee of the year” was also introduced by TheCable’s management.

Simon Kolawole, founder and CEO of TheCable, said the award was introduced to recognise and appreciate the services of other key staff — apart from journalists — who have contributed to the overall success of the team.

Rachael Oriloye, TheCable’s business development officer, was named the winner of the category.

The newspaper’s management said Oriloye, who takes home N150,000, demonstrated excellent team spirit and capacity to deliver on tasks while meeting set targets.

COMMENDATIONS FOR SIX OUTSTANDING JOURNALISTS

TheCable also introduced new categories that saw journalists recognised for sterling work, their development and contribution to the team.

Bolanle Olabimtan, the judiciary correspondent, was commended for her industry and productivity.

“Management has observed your diligence and output under pressure and is impressed with overall efforts and commitments,” the newspaper said.

Idris Shehu, the sports and features reporter, was honoured with the “most improved male journalist” commendation for his writing skills and growth in reporting and editing.

Jemilat Nasiru, a multimedia journalist at the newspaper, was also hailed for her pioneering work on TheCable’s podcasts and X Spaces while Victor Ejechi, senior data analyst, was applauded for being an outstanding team player and for leading TheCable Index, the data arm of the media outfit.

Kunle Daramola, a politics and lifestyle reporter, was cheered for his two-part impactful investigative report exposing the poor working conditions at Lagos plastic factories.

After his investigation, the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) sealed off one of the factories.

Vivian Chime, who heads TheCable climate change desk, was commended for her efforts in growing a team she pioneered.

Cash prizes under this award are N50,000 each.