Five Nigerians have been named as finalists for the 2015 edition of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year awards, which features a total of 31 finalists from 15 countries.
The five Nigerians on the shortlist are Punch newspaper’s Femi Asu and Arukaino Umukoro; Premium Times editor, Ibanga Isine; Tribune newspaper’s Adewale Emosu and Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún, a blogger at ktravula.com.
Kenya came closest to Nigeria with four nominations.
The 2015 competition received entries from 39 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.
Ferial Haffajee, chair of the independent judging panel, who announced the shortlist, said the competition is in its 20th year.
Tony Maddox, the vice president and managing director of CNN International who spoke regarding the competition, said CNN is privileged to be involved in the initiative.
“The quality and breadth of entries in this, its 20th, year is testament to the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards’ position as the most prestigious recognition for journalism across the continent,” he said.
“CNN is privileged to be involved in this important initiative to honour the outstanding work across multiple platforms, topics and journalistic disciplines. I salute the finalists for the great work that they have done and look forward to seeing their future achievements.”
According to Greg Beitchman, the vice president, content sales and partnerships, CNN International, this 20th edition Gala scheduled to hold in Nairobi in October, will feature last year’s winners.
“This year’s ceremony promises to be a stellar moment in the long history of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards.
“A combination of the strong body of work to be showcased at the 2015 awards, the presence of a number of former winners and the backdrop of the vibrant city of Nairobi will make for an evening that celebrates the very best of African journalism.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Fiifi Essilfie Anaman, Freelance for zonalsports.com, Ghana
Benedicta Asiimwe, Freelance for Daily Monitor, Uganda
Femi Asu, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria
Domingos Bento, redeangola.info, Angola
Thomas Naadi Bitlegma, Viasat1, Ghana
Sheriff Bojang Jnr, Freelance for West Africa Democracy Radio, Senegal
Ruth Butaumocho, The Herald, Zimbabwe
Ibrahima Diallo, Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS), Senegal
Adewale Olugbenga Emosu, tribuneonlineng.com, Nigeria
Chahinaz Samir Gheith, Freelance for Al-Ahram Hebdo, Egypt
Carla Gonçalves, A Nação, Cape Verde
Boldwill Hungwe, Zimbabwe Independent, Zimbabwe
Ibanga Isine, Premium Times Newspaper, Nigeria
Paul Kelemba, Freelance for The Standard on Saturday, Kenya
Deo Gratias Tchédé Kindoho, Radio Bénin, Benin
Julie Laurenz & Jacqueline Jayamaha, Freelance for e.tv, South Africa
Petride Mudoola, Freelance for Sunday Vision, Uganda
Abubakari Akida Mussa, Mtanzania Newspaper, Tanzania
Pedro Paxi Pereira Ndoma, TV Zimbo, Angola
George Oduor Otieno, Baraka FM, Kenya
Hyacinthe Boowurosigue Sanou, L’Observateur Paalga, Burkina Faso
Enock Sikolia & Charles Kariuki, NTV, Kenya
Arison Tamfu, Cameroon Journal, Cameroon
Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún, Blogger at ktravula.com,
Nigeria Arukaino Umukoro, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria
Bento Venâncio, Jornal Domingo, Mozambique
Herman Verwey, Beeld, South Africa
Kiundu Waweru, The Standard on Saturday, Kenya
Sarah Wild, Mail & Guardian, South Africa