The PUNCH, Nigeria’s most widely read newspaper, has reaffirmed its position as a leader in the country’s journalism landscape at the 33rd Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, winning top honours, including Newspaper of the Year and Editor of the Year.
The awards ceremony, held in Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, saw PUNCH dominate across multiple categories, including Newspaper of the Year, Editor of the Year, News Photography, Child-Friendly Reporting, Health Reporting, Education Reporting, Lagos Reporting, and Judicial Reporting.
Former Editor, The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, was named Editor of the Year. Niyi Adesina of The Nation and Femi Adekoya of The Guardian were named first and second runners-up, respectively, in the Editor of the Year category.
PUNCH also excelled in the News Photography category, with photojournalist Saheed Olugbon clinching both the first and second runner-up spots for his impactful images documenting societal challenges titled “An Anti-Masses Policy”, and “Failed portion of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway” respectively. Olalekan Salau of Vanguard took home the second runner-up award.
In the Lagos Reporting category, a correspondent at PUNCH Newspaper, Johnson Idowu, earned first runner-up for his report “Lagos Waterways Harbour Disaster, Regulators Helpless as Operators Shun Safety Rules,” while Ibrahim Adeyemi of Premium Times won the category.
In Child-Friendly Reporting, sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Education Fund, PUNCH photojournalist Olukayode Jaiyelola was named the winner for his report, “Ghetto in Paradise: Abuja Pupils Learn in Sheds, Endure Dump’s Odour”, which highlighted the plight of children in underserved communities.
Elliot Ovadje, also of PUNCH, secured first runner-up for his report “Risking it All: Children of Tedelase”, while Temitope Aina of The Sun earned second runner-up.
Sodiq Ojuroungbe, a Senior Correspondent at PUNCH, triumphed in the Health Reporting category, emerging both the first and second runner-up spots with his stories “Kwara Major Health Centre Where Nurses Use Lamps to Deliver Babies” and “Harvest of Deaths: Ogun Community Where Mothers and Newborns Die During Childbirth.”
Ojuroungbe also earned second runner-up in the Education Reporting category for his report “Disease Outbreak Looms in Lagos Schools Where Students Use Dirty Toilets, Lack Water.” Taiwo Adebulu of The Cable claimed the top prize in this category.
Ex-PUNCH reporter Lukman Abolade was recognised in the Judicial Reporting category as the first runner-up for “How Delayed DPP’s Advice Hinders Prosecution, Robs Litigants of Justice.” A former Chief Correspondent of PUNCH, Tunde Ajaja, earned the second runner-up spot with his piece “Disappointment, Frustration for Litigants Denied Justice by Snail-Speed Proceedings,” while Henry Ojelu of Vanguard took home the top honour.
PUNCH was also named first runner-up in the Editorial Writing category, further cementing its reputation for incisive opinion pieces.
The awards ceremony also celebrated the successes of other publications. The Nation and The Guardian were named first and second runners-up in the Newspaper of the Year category. At the same time, Daily Trust was recognised for Best Newspaper Design.
PUNCH’s consistent success across various categories underscores its unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism and its role in highlighting critical societal issues.
The Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Publications Limited and Editor-in-Chief of Media Review, Lanre Idowu, praised PUNCH’s continued excellence, stating, “PUNCH’s repeated success at the DAME Awards is a testament to their dedication to quality journalism. The stories shortlisted this year all conveyed a message of hope and a belief in a better society, which aligns with PUNCH’s ongoing contributions to the public good.”
This latest recognition adds to PUNCH’s storied legacy, reinforcing its status as a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism.
