By Abubakar Seidu
A Journalist of Lens Africa TV, Adeyemi Adekunle has been nominated for the esteemed 2024 Journalists of the Year Award by the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF). Adekunle’s nomination in the television category places him among 11 distinguished finalists who have demonstrated exceptional prowess in addressing pressing development issues across the African continent.
The AMDF award is designed to honor journalists whose work not only informs but also drives significant societal change.
In a statement issued on Friday by AMDF’s Executive Director, Sekyen Dadik, the awards spans multiple media categories, including photo, print, online, television, and radio journalism. “The finalists, chosen from a highly competitive pool of submissions, have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and commitment to reporting on critical issues that affect the continent,” the statement read.
Adeyemi Adekunle stands out in the television category against formidable contenders, including Chernor Mustapha from Apex Multi-Media Co-op in Sierra Leone and Ibrahim Ismail from Trust TV, Nigeria.
His noteworthy inclusion is a testament to his rigorous reporting and the impactful stories he has brought to the forefront, giving voice to the challenges faced by various communities.
The competition in the awarded categories is fierce. In the photo category, notable journalists such as Ayodele Isaac and Olugbon Saheed from Nigeria’s prominent newspapers, The Nation and The Punch, respectively, have also made the shortlist.
For print journalism, the list features Nyima Sillah from The Voice Newspaper in Gambia, along with several sharp-eyed reporters from Nigeria’s The Punch and The Nation. The online category showcases talents like Abdulraheed Hammad from The Cable and Arinze Chizioke from Ripples Nigeria, highlighting the diverse approaches to storytelling that continue to evolve with technological advancements.
However, in a surprising twist, the AMDF revealed that none of the entries in the radio category met the established standards for recognition. This underscores the importance of quality journalism and the rigorous criteria established by AMDF for honoring journalists making tangible impacts.
The winners and runners-up of the 2024 AMDF Journalist of the Year Award will be announced during the Africa Conference on Development Journalism, scheduled for December 4-5, 2024, in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
This esteemed event aims to convene journalists, media professionals, and stakeholders to engage in discussions about the critical role of journalism in fostering development and enacting social change throughout Africa.
Dadik expressed pride in the finalists, remarking, “We are incredibly proud of all the finalists and their contributions to journalism.
Their work exemplifies the importance of holding powerful interests to account and shedding light on critical issues that impact our communities.” These remarks highlight the vital role that skilled journalists play in shaping public discourse and influencing policy through dedicated reporting.
