Francis Dufugha
…Predicts awards will attain national outlook in 2027
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has congratulated winners of the recently concluded Bayelsa Media Awards (BMA), describing the honour as a recognition of the contributions of media practitioners to promoting the ideals, image and development of the state.
Diri, who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, also presented cash prizes of ₦500,000 each and tablets to four media practitioners who emerged winners in categories sponsored by him.
The governor said his sponsorship of the four award categories was aimed at encouraging creativity, professionalism and hard work among journalists and other media practitioners in Bayelsa State.
He noted that, although his administration had maintained a media-friendly disposition and recognised the importance of the press, supporting the awards was an additional way of motivating practitioners to excel in their chosen professions.
Alabrah commended the organisers of the Bayelsa Media Awards, describing the initiative as a valuable platform for recognising outstanding media professionals and promoting the state’s image.
The Chief Press Secretary, who had served as an editor of two national newspapers before his appointment, said the awards would encourage healthy competition among media practitioners while motivating them to uphold professional standards.
He added that initiatives such as the BMA provided opportunities to celebrate hardworking journalists whose contributions to information dissemination and public enlightenment were essential to the development of society.
The four beneficiaries of the Governor Douye Diri-sponsored categories were Iruofagha Lawrence Okutuate of the Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Bayelsa, who won Presenter of the Year; Isaac Eyedoude of Golden FM, who emerged News Editor of the Year; Munene Wilson of Radio Bayelsa, who won Newscaster of the Year; and Samuel Oyadoghan of Vanguard, who was named Reporter of the Year.
Each of the winners received a cash prize of ₦500,000 and a tablet in recognition of their professional achievements.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Bayelsa Media Awards, Mr Victor Binawari, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for his continued support for the initiative.
Binawari disclosed that the governor had sponsored the four award categories over the past four years, describing the gesture as a demonstration of his commitment to encouraging media practitioners in the state.
He assured that the prize packages would be upgraded from the next edition of the awards.
The BMA chief executive further explained that the awards, which initially focused on media practitioners based in Bayelsa State, had gradually expanded to accommodate entries from other states in the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the organisers are working towards giving the awards a national outlook by 2027, a development expected to broaden participation and increase recognition for outstanding media professionals across the country.
He expressed optimism that the expansion would strengthen the credibility and reach of the awards while providing a wider platform for celebrating excellence in journalism and broadcasting.
The Bayelsa Media Awards has continued to provide a platform for recognising media professionals who distinguish themselves through their contributions to journalism, broadcasting and public communication.
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