The Rivers State Correspondent of the LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group, Anayo Onukwugha, has won the ‘Best Political Reporter 2011’ award of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state.
The winners of other categories were: Abraham Ajaero of Scroll Magazine (Best Investigative Reporter 2011 and Rivers State Journalist of the Year 2011); Chris Eze of Fresh Facts Newspaper (Best Business Reporter 2011); Ndu Ajie of the Rivers State Television (Best Judicial Reporter 2011) and Tonye Orabere of the Tide Newspaper (Best Sports Reporter 2011).
Speaking during the award ceremony held on Thursday night in Port Harcourt, the state commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Seminatari, commended the state council of the NUJ for honouring excellence in the practice of journalism.
Seminatari, who was represented by the director of Press in the ministry, Mr. Dike Onyije, called on journalists in the state to partner with the state government in its effort to move the state forward.
Earlier in his welcome address, chairman of NUJ in the state, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, regretted that 12 categories of the award were advertised, while entries were received for only six categories.
Dokubo stated that the award was to encourage journalists in the state to work harder as well as to ensure that only qualified journalists are practising in the state.