A photojournalist with Daily Trust at its Lagos office, Benedict Uwalaka, has emerged among the 14 finalists for the 2021 Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Journalism.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Executive Director of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Motunrayo Alaka.
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Mr Alaka said the board of judges for the 2021 Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting selected 14 finalists: five female reporters and nine males, for the 16th edition of the annual award.
He said the finalists were shortlisted from 222 entries received during the call for applications, pointing out that it was the highest number of entries received since the inception of the award i.n 2005.
He explained that the shortlist of journalists across print, online, photo, cartoon, television and radio media were presented by, Ayo Obe, lawyer to the chairman of the board and Executive Director of WSCIJ after a scores collation meeting on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
He said the public presentation would be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at NECA House, Lagos, from 4pm to 6pm.
“The finalists who will be honoured at the 16th award presentation event are Abiodun Omotosho of Nigerian Pilot, Benedict Uwalaka of Daily Trust, Ibrahim Adeyemi of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Kelechukwu Ogu of Rhythm 93.7 FM, Kunle Adebajo of HumAngle, Mary Abayomi-Fatile of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Olatunji Obasa of Punch, Olukunle Akinrinade of The Nation, Omolabake Fasogbon of ThisDay, Sharon Ijasan of TVC News, Taiwo Adebayo of Premium Times, Tessy Igomu of Punch, Victor Asowata of The Will and Zainab Sanni of Agidigbo FM,” he said.
He explained that the award presentation was held annually on December 9, the International Anti-Corruption Day, and eve of the Human Rights Day, to acknowledge best practices in investigative journalism and its significance for attaining good governance, accountability and social justice.
