WOLE SOYINKA AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Winning Works 2013
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Winner: Temitayo Famutimi
In his 13-part serial published in the Punch Newspaper between 19 December 2012 and 22 March 2013 Virginity Test, Temitayo Famutimi, narrates a worrying story of Rev. Olufunke Oladejobi, the Principal of Ajuwon Senior High School, Ajuwon in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, who is concerned at what she characterizes as the promiscuity status of college pupils.
Runner up: Elijah Olusegun
In his report titled The Poachers called Keepers published in the September 2013 edition of National Standard Magazine, Olusegun Elijah presents a biting commentary on a case of corruption that permeated the Universal Basic Education, identifying and diligently investigating those involved in this racket beyond the executive secretary, Aliyu Modibbo.
Winner: Ruona Agbroko-Meyer & Ini Ekott
How Nigeria squanders millions on generators its foreign missions don’t need, published on May 26, 2013 is a detailed report on the culture of waste that characterises Nigerian government’s budgeting and spending.
This Premium Times publication uncovers the waste in budgeting for and releasing funds for the procurement and servicing of non-existent generators, in Nigeria’s embassies in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom where generators are needless.
Runner up: Tobore Ovuorie
Tobore Ovuorie in her two-part series report titled Gravely ill patients die queuing to see Nigeria’s few specialist doctors published by Premium Times is an expose on a present danger in the Nigerian health sector.
Tobore’s account reveals a troubling reality – the Nigerian government at federal, state and local government is failing with the development of competent manpower to secure the country’s health.
Winner: Stanley Ogidi
Two bridges, one city by Stanley Ogidi was published in the Punch Newspaper of Sunday 23 June, 2013. It is a stark image of the inequality and class divide in a mega city such as Lagos. The class abuse stares us in the face.
The picture tells a story of two bridges; one modern, linking highbrow area, Ikoyi and Lekki, the other, a wooden bridge linking Igando to Ayobo. That both bridges exist in the same city raises questions about the authority’s priorities in terms of development. Or could it be that government development thrust is geared towards pleasing the rich at the detriment of the poor?
Runner up: Stanley Ogidi
A school in the heart of Lagos published in The Punch Newspaper of Sunday, June 2, 2013 is Stanley Ogidi’s statement of disapproval of the state of the education sector as evinced by inexistent infrastructure, low quality of education offered in a school in a part of Lagos and perhaps many others across the state, and the country. It raises questions bordering on government’s delivery or denial of the right to education of some citizens.
Winner: Asukwo Etim Bassey
Asukwo’s entry, Nigeria’s misapplied Talents (Nigerian Athletes who would have made a difference at Moscow) can be described in two words – witty and poignant. Published in Businessday Newspaper of 20 August, 2013, the cartoon is a satire. It makes a sad commentary on the myriad of woes besetting the country; from corruption, to insecurity, to regulatory failures and institutional dysfunctions.
Winner: Ini Ekott & Bassey Udo
In their report, How officials steal houses, lands from Abuja indigenes in huge resettlement fraud, published in the online platform, Premium Times, on September 14, 2013, Ini Ekott and Bassey Udo reveal the depths of impunity in the Abuja land grab that is defined by extreme injustice and corruption, perpetrated by Nigerian government officials for three decades now.
Winner: Toyosi Ogunseye
The failing regulatory role of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and the frightening health exposure of the residents of the Adekunle Fajuyi estate in GRA Ikeja, is the focus of a three-part report, The rich also cry: when investment is a curse, by Toyosi Ogunseye published in the Punch Newspaper.
Responding to the accusation of residents of Fajuyi estate that Universal Steels had polluted their bodies, air and water, Punch newspaper supported Toyosi to get to the bottom of the accusation by commissioning the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos to conduct tests on 16 residence of the estate chosen randomly as well as soil, water and plant samples from the estate.
Winner: Aderonke Ogunleye
How Nigeria’s sports commission officials enriched selves, and cheat paralympians, published on Premium Times is Aderonke Ogunleye’s two-part investigation into the stench at the National Sports Commission (NSC), an institution where corruption appears to rise in direct proportion to media exposure.
Aderonke Ogunleye is categorical as she reports that “the National Sports Commission cheated the paralympians and also cheated the country during the last summer Paralympics which held in London.’.