TheCable

Nduka Obaigbena, chairman of ThisDay and Arise media group, has been named lifetime achievement awardee of the 2023 Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

A letter signed by Lanre Idowu, DAME trustee, said Obaigbena’s contribution to the media and his dedication to mentoring leaders in the industry, earned him the nomination for the award.

The award was initiated in 1991 to promote and recognise professionalism in the media by awarding outstanding individuals and organisations.

Obaigbena is a recipient of the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and had also earned the highest journalistic honour of the fellowship of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE).

“As an entrepreneur, you have provided jobs for numerous people in the media industry. As a professional, you have trained many leaders in the media,” Idowu said.

He said the 32nd edition of the annual award will also confer fellowship on two senior journalists for their works and positive contributions to the media.

The two journalists are Emeka Izeze, former managing director and editor-in-chief of the Guardian Newspapers Ltd; and Mike Awoyinfa, former managing director and editor-in-chief of Sun Publishing Ltd.

“Both have been line editors, title editors, and columnists before attaining the professional recognition of the fellowship of the Guild of Editors,” the statement added.

The award ceremony would have fifteen media houses as finalists, while 52 nominations have been made in various categories from which overall winners will emerge.