Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) on Friday honored media professionals for their unwavering support in promoting The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science over the last two decades.
The company recognized media stakeholders for their dedication to the prizes’ success and announced the launch of a new prize category, The NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting, at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).
At an event themed “Celebrating the Voices of Impact” held in Lagos, NLNG showcased its appreciation for the media’s role in bringing the prizes to national prominence. In his remarks, Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, highlighted the essential role the media plays in fostering awareness and driving discourse on science, technology, and literature in Nigeria.
“The media has played a pivotal role in spotlighting these prizes, helping to place them at the forefront of the national agenda,” Odeh said. He commended the media for elevating the conversation around innovation, creativity, and Nigeria’s rich cultural tapestry, which has inspired collaboration and investment in vital sectors.
In her keynote speech, Funke Egbemode, former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and ex-commissioner for information in Osun State, praised the media’s influence in shaping public opinion, fostering democracy, and driving social change. Titled “Celebrating the Voices of Impact: The NLNG Story,” her address underscored the importance of responsible and ethical journalism in upholding transparency, accountability, and societal progress. She also applauded NLNG’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and writers, acknowledging the company’s positive contributions to Nigeria’s global standing.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of a one-time Recognition Award to Prisca Sam-Duru, a literary and arts reporter at Vanguard, for her outstanding work in covering the prizes. Other journalists, including Chidinma Agu (News Agency of Nigeria), Terh Agbedeh (ThisisLagos), Gabriel Akinadewo (Freedom Online), and Sopuruchi Onwuka (The Oracle), were also recognized for their exemplary coverage.
In addition to the keynote address, a fireside chat on “Leveraging Technology for Media Curation Advancement and Efficiency” took place. Panelists included Tayo Fagbule, Editor of BusinessDay, and Tolu Ogunlesi, former special assistant on digital media to the President, moderated by Anikeade Funke Treasure.
NLNG’s new Prize for Energy Reporting, introduced as part of DAME, aims to reward journalists who excel in reporting energy issues, shaping public understanding of Nigeria’s energy landscape. The prize seeks to encourage insightful coverage that engages policymakers, stakeholders, and the public on critical energy matters.
The award jury, consisting of prominent figures Taiwo Obe, Kadaria Ahmed, and Chido Nwakanma, commended the recipients for their originality, consistency, and quality of work. Sam-Duru, named the overall winner, received N5 million and a laptop, while other recognized journalists also received gifts.
The criteria for judging included the quality of reporting, originality of the work, frequency of articles, and consistency in coverage.
