Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has commended journalists for telling the Bayelsa story and for their contributions to the development of the state as the 13th edition of the Bayelsa Media Awards (BMA) held in Yenagoa to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayaowei, but whose speech was delivered by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Alfred Kemepado, said this year’s theme “The Media’s Role in Bayelsa’s Progress: Lessons and Opportunities” was apt as it reflects on the journey of the state in the last 30 years and the critical role the media has played.
In his speech, Governor Diri described the media as a critical partner in governance, noting that his administration’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda has been effectively communicated by the media. He urged journalists to continue to tell the Bayelsa story positively while drawing lessons from the past and exploring opportunities for the future.
He congratulated the organisers for sustaining the awards for 13 years and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the media and creating an enabling environment for practice.
The event, which attracted entries and nominations from across the Niger Delta, including Rivers, Cross River, Imo and Akwa Ibom States, also had the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) as a major partner.
The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, FNSE, represented by the Manager, Government Relations, Mr. Teddy Bai, noted the strong bond between the Board and the media community, particularly through its longstanding partnership with the Bayelsa Media Awards.
Speaking as a panelist on the theme, he emphasised the significant role the media has played in supporting the establishment, growth and visibility of NCDMB and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote excellence in journalism.
In his welcome address, the Convener of the Bayelsa Media Awards, Mr. Victor Binawari, thanked the Bayelsa State Government for its continuous support for the awards and for creating an enabling environment for media practice in the state. He also thanked the NCDMB and other partners for sustaining the platform.
Binawari explained that the theme was chosen to evaluate the media’s contribution to Bayelsa’s 30 years of existence, to document lessons learnt and to chart a course for the future in promoting culture, driving investment and deepening democracy. He congratulated all nominees and winners and urged journalists to uphold professionalism and ethics.
In his remarks as Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Chief Robert Ayalla Enogha, Chief Executive Officer and Group Chairman of the Emily Group of Companies thanked journalists for telling the Bayelsa story and projecting the state positively.
The event also featured a colourful cultural performance by the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture.
The highpoint was the presentation of awards in various top categories. In the NCDMB-sponsored categories, winners who received ₦1 million and a laptop each are: NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region’s Report on Economy – Joseph Kunde, TVC Yenagoa; NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region’s Oil and Gas Broadcast Reporter of the Year – Ebitimi Zitimiyola, NTA Yenagoa; and NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region’s Oil and Gas Print Reporter of the Year – Blessing Ibunge, ThisDay Newspaper, Port Harcourt.
Other top awards including the SDD Prize for Reporter of the Year sponsored by the State Government were also presented.
