Temitope Obayendo, the online editor of Pharmanews, has won the Nestlé’s Nigeria Media Award First Prize for the Best Story in Youth Empowerment .
The recognition took place at the 4th Annual Nestlé’s Nigeria Media Award on Thursday, held at the 157 Gardens, Ikorodu Road, where Obayendo was celebrated for her compelling solutions journalism piece that highlighted Nestlé’s efforts in addressing the unemployment gap among Nigerian youths. Edet Udoh of The Revealer secured second place in the same category.
Recalled that Obayendo was one of the winners at the maiden edition of the Nestlé’s Nigeria Media Award in 2021, when she won the Best Story in Food and Nutrition category, first runner up position.
The esteemed event attracted a remarkable 285 entries, all of which were evaluated by a panel of knowledgeable judges, including Dr Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu, programme lead of the Lagos Chapter of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria; Rosemary Otalor, account director at APO Group; Dr Sunday John, senior lecturer at the School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University; Oreva Atanya, director at the LBS Sustainability Centre; and Victoria Uwadoka, an award-winning leader in corporate communications and public affairs at Nestlé Nigeria.
In her congratulatory speech to the award recipients, Uwadoka emphasised that the purpose of the ceremony was to recognise professionalism and excellence in media practice, as well as to acknowledge the media’s support of Nestlé throughout the past year.
She expressed her appreciation for the high-quality articles submitted for the awards, stating that they “highlight some of the most exemplary pieces of work that have captured the essence of truth, integrity, and social responsibility. I would like to thank each of you and our collaborators.”
Uwadoka reflected on the power of words and imagery in journalism, acknowledging how storytelling can effectively shape perceptions, challenge societal norms, and promote accountability.
Dr Nwachukwu, commenting on the standout qualities of the awarded stories, noted the significant improvement in the caliber of submissions this year. She highlighted originality, depth, engagement, balance, impact, adherence to ethical standards, and captivating introductions as key elements that distinguished the winning entries.
Dr John emphasised the importance of originality and depth in storytelling, stating that these elements contribute to a story’s uniqueness and its impact on communities. He also criticised the use of AI-generated content in journalism when it lacks human voices, arguing that a compelling story must convey authentic perspectives to resonate with readers.
For Otalor, concluding a story with a call to action or an active voice is essential, leaving the audience with a meaningful takeaway.
The event culminated in the presentation of award plaques, laptops, and phones to the winners, marking a celebratory evening for the recipients and the media community at large.
