NUJ Awards: Owena Press honours Awardees
By Samuel Edu
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Owena Press Limited, the publisher of The Hope Newspaper rolled out drums on Friday to celebrate five of its reporters that were recipients of the most prestigious Ondo State Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, merit Awards for the year 2021.
The awardees were Sunmola Olowookere as Judiciary Reporter of the Year, Maria Famakinwa as Investigative Reporter of the year, Femi Atolagbe as Sports Reporter of the Year and Saheed Ibrahim as Grassroots Reporter of the year, while Tola Gbadamoshi bagged the NUJ Chairman’s Award.
The outstanding reporters were presented with cash prizes by the Most Authoritative newspaper in Ondo state during the monthly prayer meeting of the organisation.
In his address, the Chairman of the organisation, Sir Ademola Adetula specially appreciated the award winners for their exploits and commitment towards making the company proud.
He stressed that the ground breaking record of Owena Press Limited at the awards ceremony was the reward for hardwork and various trainings and capacity development programmes organized in the past for staff of the organisation.
He however maintained that the management would continue to invest in employee development through developmental programmes and trainings to equip members of staff with necessary skills needed to perform.
“I urge everyone to take advantage of these training sessions for more self development”, he advised.
The Chairman urged the awardees not to be caught in the euphoria of excitement and forget the need for sustainability stating that “it is easy to get to the top and attain great feat but sustainability is key.
“While celebrating this achievement, we must ensure that it is sustained, conscious efforts must be made in sustaining this great achievement.”
Emphasizing on the indispensability of reading for journalists aspiring for greatness, the Sage journalist harped on the need for journalists to be voracious readers.
“If you want to be successful in the field of journalism, you must be a voracious reader. You must refresh your knowledge and get updated with the happenings in your vicinity.
“This will help you in having a better output, if you are committed to learning one new word per day at the end of the year, you have learnt 365 new words and your life will definitely be better for it.
The chairman assured members of staff of the commitment of the management in ensuring the welfarism of all members.
Earlier in his sermon, the Editor of The Hope newspaper. Mr Akindele Adubuola, a pastor in the Redeemed Church emphasized on the goodness of God over the workers and urged them to always look beyond their limitations
“Above all odds, regardless of whatever might have happened during the year, the Lord has been faithful to all and hence everyone has cause to appreciate God.”
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Mrs Sunmola Olowokere thanked everyone, particularly the chairman and the editors for their cooperation stressing that the success would not have been possible without their supports.
She however charged other colleagues to also put in their best and ensure The Hope newspaper continue to soar.