Pharmanews Online Editor, Obayendo, Emerges PSN Journalist of the Year

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In recognition of her dogged commitment to healthcare reportage in Nigeria and beyond, Pharmanews Online Editor, Temitope Obayendo, has been declared winner of the 2022 Ben Ukwuoma Memorial Award for Best Health Correspondent Editor. She was consequently named “Journalist of the Year 2022”, by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).

Obayendo was announced winner of the prestigious award at the closing banquet of the 95th Annual National Conference of the PSN, held at Crispan Suites and Event Centre, Jos, Plateau State, recently.

The Ben Ukwuoma Health Awards was inaugurated by the PSN in 2015, in honour of the late Mr Benjamin Chima Ukwuoma, who was until his death, the acting news editor and health editor of The Guardian newspapers.

The annual award is usually given to the best health correspondent in the country, who is determined by a panel of assessors set up by the Society.

Speaking at the award presentation, the PSN President, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, told Obayendo, “We have seen your dedication to healthcare reportage over the years, especially your contributions to advancing the course of pharmacy practice in the country.

“We appreciate your efforts and our doors are always open for more discussion on quality healthcare delivery in the country.”

In a chat with Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, the former PSN president, in whose tenure the award was instituted, he described the late Ukwuoma as a “big blessing to journalism”, adding that the deceased editor added value to numerous programmes of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and its appendages.

He mentioned the winner of the maiden edition of the award to be Health Editor of Daily Independent Newspaper, Mrs Chioma Umeha.
Receiving the award, Obayendo, expressed gratitude to the PSN for the recognition, pledging to do more in advancing healthcare reportage for the benefit of mankind.