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From Ajiri Daniels, Abuja
Winners have emerged at the third edition of #PreventEpidemicsNaija Journalism Award (PEJA) organised by the Nigeria Health Watch.
The Prevent Epidemics Awards are presented annually by the Nigeria Health Watch to recognise journalists who have covered all facets of Nigeria’s epidemic preparedness and prevention. This year’s edition being the third is themed: “Celebrating Media Excellence for Epidemic Preparedness and Response”.
The award ceremony, which held on Friday in Abuja, honoured journalists from television, radio, and print media whose coverage of epidemic preparedness and response has been outstanding in calling attention to the need for adequate funding of programmes to prevent and respond to public health emergencies.
Winners of the prestigious award are Ezedimbu Ogom of the African Independent Television (AIT), who won the award for the television programme category, and Blessing Enebeli of Voice of Nigeria (VON), who won the radio category of the award. Print/online category winner was Nike Adebowale-Tambe of Premium Times.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vivianne Ihekweazu, the managing director of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasised the importance of epidemic preparedness and the role that the media plays in achieving this.
While praising the winners, Ihekweazu advised other media professionals to focus on epidemic preparedness and proper health funding.
The organisers of the awards also received applause from the WHO country representative, Walter Mulombo, for enabling a productive partnership with the media through the “prevent epidemics project.”
Mr. Mulombo, who was represented by Tugumizemu Victor, asserted that the programme had pushed for epidemic preparedness while also increasing public and policymakers’ awareness.
According to him, the Prevent Epidemics Project highlights the necessity for meaningful engagement with key stakeholder in order to make Nigeria and the rest of the globe more resistant to epidemics through advocacy and action.
