Pharmanews Ltd has recorded yet another milestone as its Online Editor, Temitope Obayendo, emerged winner for the third time at the 2025 Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards held recently in Lagos. Her latest recognition marks three years of excellence for both the publication and the journalist.
This achievement adds to Obayendo’s strong track record at the prestigious awards. She won the first prize in the Youth Empowerment category in 2024 and was also among the award recipients during the maiden edition in 2021.
Obayendo won as the first runner-up in the Women Empowerment category, while Eunice Stephen of Brand Communicator clinched the top prize.
The Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards was established to celebrate professionalism and quality storytelling in critical development areas such as nutrition, sustainability, women empowerment, youth empowerment, thriving communities, agriculture, and photojournalism. Sponsored by Nestlé Nigeria PLC, the awards continue to recognise journalists whose work informs the public and supports national progress.
Speaking on the significance of the annual event, Victoria Uwadoka, corporate communications, public affairs and sustainability lead at Nestlé Nigeria, said the awards have, over the past five years, reinforced the company’s commitment to promoting responsible journalism that drives real societal impact.
She noted that the platform remains relevant because it rewards stories that inform, challenge existing perspectives, and spark meaningful national conversations.
More than 280 entries were submitted for the 2025 edition, reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges. The panel included Dr Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu, programmes lead for the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, recognised for her leadership in public health nutrition.
She was joined by Dr Rosemary Otalor, account director at APO Group and a respected expert in media relations and strategic communications, as well as Yvonne Kanalio Olaloku, nutrition specialist at the Nestlé Nutrition Institute for Central and West Africa, whose work focuses on nutrition science and food fortification.
According to the judges, entries were assessed based on relevance, accuracy, depth, creativity, and overall impact before winners were selected.
Reflecting on the evolution of the awards, Uwadoka said the platform was created to honour journalists who go beyond reporting to elevate conversations around nutrition, environmental sustainability, youth and women empowerment, community development, agriculture, and business.
She added that since its inception in 2021, the awards have grown into a flagship platform for journalistic excellence and impactful storytelling, encouraging Nestlé to sustain proactive media engagement that builds community and celebrates the transformative power of the media.
“As a good food, good life company, our goal is not just to support long life but long, healthy life for all Nigerians. That is the essence of what we seek to promote through these awards,” she said.
Obayendo’s continued recognition at the Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards reflects not only her personal commitment to impactful storytelling but also Pharmanews’ sustained leadership in health communication. As the media landscape evolves, the publication’s consistent presence among top contenders reinforces its role in shaping informed discourse and promoting development-focused journalism in Nigeria.
