Advertisement
Three health journalists emerged winners of the Preventing Epidemic Journalism Award (PEJA), a special award category of the 10th edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA).
The journalism award, championed by Nigeria Health Watch since 2021, leveraged the broad reach of the NHEA this year to honor outstanding radio, print and television journalists whose reporting advocates for epidemic preparedness in Nigeria.
Advertisement
NHEA 2024 attracted 26,000 nominations across all categories, of which 11 journalists were shortlisted for the public vote which ended on June 19.
More than 30 awards and recognitions were presented at the awards ceremony held on Friday in Lagos.
Bond FM’s Bilikis Abdulraheem-Lawal won the radio category with his Yoruba language report on tuberculosis; Racheal Abujah of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) won the print category with a story on the epidemic preparedness budget, while Lois Sambo of Aso TV won the Television category with a report on COVID-19. 19.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, in the television category, PREMIUM TIMES reporter Mariam Ileyemi’s multimedia report on the susceptibility of healthcare workers to Lassa fever was nominated.”
Other nominated journalists are Blessing Enebeli of African Independent Television (AIT), Ojoma Okafor, Daily Trust; Yecenu Sasetu, Kiss FM; Khadijah Bawas, KAMED TV; Mustafa Usman, ICIR; Mustapha Salis, Prime Time; and Arinze Chijoke, Solace Base.
Article page with financial support promotion
Selection process
Speaking at the ceremony in Lagos, Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Council, Anthony Omolola, said the selection process included extensive assessments by the NHEA verification team and over 52,000 votes were received online.
Advertisement
Omolola said the votes “underlined the competitive spirit and high standards” that define the NHEA, adding that highlights for the 2024 edition include the introduction of new award categories that reflect our dynamic and evolving approach.
“This year’s nominations feature new categories that demonstrate our commitment to recognizing emerging trends and achievements in the healthcare sector,” he said.
“Another highlight is the emphasis on public health, neuroscience and drug manufacturing, lifetime achievement awards and special recognition, highlight the outside and exemplary world of respected Nigerians in the healthcare ecosystem.”
Omolola added that the award is run in collaboration with Delloite and seeks to foster continued collaborations with the winners and nominate subsequent events.
“These cross-platform collaborations will further enhance and deepen the work of our partners driving continued excellence in healthcare and the ecosystem,” he said.
In her remarks, the Director General of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, said PEJA was instituted to ensure that the public is well informed about the need for funding for epidemic preparedness.
“As you all know, we need to strengthen our health security and without a sustained mandate we cannot do that and that is the genesis of the award,” Ms Ihekweazu said.
“The award recognizes journalists who have raised awareness among the public and policymakers about the importance of funding epidemic preparedness and response, inspiring them to continue their vital role in safeguarding the country’s health security.”
About NHEA
The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) is an annual event that honors outstanding individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the advancement of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
It was established in 2014 by Global Health Project & Resources in collaboration with Anadach Group, USA.
Annually, the event attracts more than 500 dignitaries from the public and private sectors, including ministers, health commissioners, regulatory authorities, major investors, diplomats, NGOs, journalists and health professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses and various Service providers.
“The awards highlight the rapid growth of the healthcare sector, the transformative role of technology and the ability of organizations and individuals to set new standards of performance in Nigeria and beyond,” said NHEA Project Director Wale Alabi .
“The theme of this year’s event was aligned with the country’s healthcare transformation agenda, highlighting and recognizing stakeholders, facilities and organizations that have contributed significantly to the healthcare sector.
“With an impactful decade of existence, NHEA continues to raise the standards of healthcare services.”
Advertisement