The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Thursday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, pledged its continued support for the yearly Bayelsa Media Awards (BMA), stating that its collaboration with the mass media has been very rewarding in driving local content to a level of excellence.
“This is one event we are proud of and we will keep the sponsorship going,” declared the Assistant Manager, Government Relations, Mr. Teddy Bai, who represented the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, at the event, which had representatives of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, and members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council in attendance.
He said NCDMB has been actively engaged with journalists in Bayelsa State and other parts of the country through events such as media parleys, which it hosts on a regular basis to share updates on local content growth, and capacity building and training for media practitioners at stakeholder workshops which are organised yearly by the Board in Lagos, Warri (Delta State) Port Harcourt (Rivers State), and Yenagoa, among other places.
He commended the media in Bayelsa State for its effectiveness in promoting awareness of the activities and successes of the NCDMB and enhancement of peace and understanding among the people.
In a keynote address entitled “The Media’s Role in Bayelsa’s Progress: Lessons and Opportunities,” the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, said BMA’s tradition of naming and honouring men and women of topnotch performance stands the organisers out as “an agency with a passion for societal progress.” “You are deliberate in promoting sound qualities of journalistic practice – dedication, courage and commitment – so essential to public enlightenment and civic consciousness and, by extension, the well-being and growth of Bayelsa State,” he noted.
He stated that the State Government was impressed with the coverage of government policies, programmes and projects, as well as events and incidents bordering on internal security, which have been helpful to security agencies in their operations in the State.
In his own remarks, the Chairman of BMA, Mr. Victor Binawari, expressed profound appreciation to the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ayawei, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD) of the NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, and the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ayalla Group of Companies, Honourable Chief Robert Ayalla Enogha, for the tremendous support they have provided to his organisation and the media sector, generally, over the years.
He assured them that BMA would continue to promote professional excellence in the media industry, and that his organisation would soon establish an academy for the training of journalists in the State.
The Board’s sponsorship of the Bayelsa Media Awards in the 13 years that the event has been organised covers endowment of three categories – “NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region Economy Reporter of the Year,” won by Joseph Kunde (TCV); “NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region Oil and Gas Print Reporter of the Year” (Blessing Ibunge, THISDAY), and “NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region Oil and Gas Broadcast Reporter of the Year” (Ebitimi Zitimola, of NTA). Each of the winners received one million naira cash and a laptop.
Another four categories sponsored by Senator Douye Diri – “SDD Prize for Presenter of the Year,” “SDD Prize for Newscaster of the Year,” “SDD Prize for Reporter of the Year (Print and Broadcast),” and “SDD Prize for News Editor of the Year,” were won by Okutuate Iroufagha, of Radio Bayelsa, Munene Wilson, also of Radio Bayelsa, Samuel Oyadongha, of VANGUARD, and Isaac Oyedode, of Golden FM, respectively.
Winners were also named for numerous other categories.
Entries for the 13th Edition of the BMA were received from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Imo States
