PREMIUM TIMES, Nigeria’s leading digital newspaper, emerged as one of the standout newsrooms at the 34th Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), held on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.
The award, which began in 1992, is an annual scheme designed to encourage media responsibility, quality reporting and enhance professionalism in the Nigerian media industry by rewarding talent and enterprise.
Folashade Ogunrinde, a reporter on PREMIUM TIMES’ investigations desk clinched the first prize in the Solid Minerals Reporting category with her entry ‘Inside illegal operations of mining firm responsible for Ibadan fatal explosion’.
The evidence led investigation report not only exposed the real culprits responsible for the explosion that killed at least five persons in Bodija, Ibadan Oyo State, but also sheds light on how illegal miners operate and source explosives.
The report brought to light the corruption that has eaten deep into the mining sector and the loopholes rogue miners exploit to embark on illegal mining activities. More importantly, the multi-media investigative piece sparked societal consciousness and debate on the dangers of illegal mining.
Yakubu Mohammed emerged the second runner-up in the same category with his report titled ‘The Digital Black Market: Nigeria’s illicit lithium trade uncovered,’ while a former ICIR reporter, Ijeoma Opara, was named first runner-up for her reporting on illegal mining in Nasarawa State.
In the Education Reporting category, another PREMIUM TIMES investigative reporter Qosim Suleiman emerged as the first runner-up for his report, ‘Schools Under Siege: How insecurity is robbing Nigerian kids of education’. ThisDay’s Omolabake Fasogbon won the Education Reporting category while Nanji Venley of Prime Progress placed third.
Editor of the Year
PREMIUM TIMES’ Managing Editor, Idris Akinbajo placed third in the Editor of the Year category. He was a finalist at the 32nd Diamond Awards in 2023. This year, he shared the position with Shaka Momodu of Thisday Newspaper and Ihenacho Nwosu of Daily Sun.
Niyi Adesina of The Nation finished in second place, while The Punch’s Tunji Abioye claimed the top prize.
Newspaper of the year
PREMIUM TIMES emerged third place in the Newspaper of the Year category, sharing the spot with ThisDay and Daily Sun. The Punch emerged first place while The Nation came second place.
Other categories
In the broadcast segment, Veronica Dan-Ikpoyi claimed the Television Reporter of the Year award, with Channels Television’s Will Ibong finishing as runner-up.
In the Judicial Reporting category, Godfrey George of The Punch emerged the Judicial Reporter of the Year for his report, ‘Calls for justice reforms heighten as minors spend productive years behind bars’.
Mr George’s second entry also finished third place in the same category. Victor Ayeni of The Punch finished first runner-up for his report, ‘Defiled victims’ long-wielded fight for justice as rapists exploit child abuse law’s loopholes’.
In the Lagos Reporting category, Johnson Idowu from The Punch won the first prize, while Ibrahim Adam of The Nation Newspaper and Emmanuel Uti of the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ) emerged runners-up.
Sodiq Ojuroungbe of The Punch clinched the top prize in the Health Reporting category for his report titled, ‘Bed spaces: Lagos top hospitals where patients get admitted by luck’.
PM Times’ Rakiya Muhammad won the Child Friendly reporting category for her story on the reality of child labour in Sokoto State, how it manifests, what is responsible and how it can be effectively addressed.
AbdulRasheed Hammad of Ripples clinched the top prize in the Investigative Reporting category, outperforming nominees from The Punch and HumAngle. In the Child-Friendly Photography category, The Sun’s Temitope Aina emerged winner, ahead of The Punch photojournalist Dayo Oyewo.
Peter Akinbo, a senior correspondent with The Punch, took home the Sports Reporter of the Year award for his piece on blind judokas rebuilding their lives through sport after surviving suicide attempts. His entry topped entries from The Nation’s Taiwo Alimi and Prime Progress’ Nanji Venley.
Elliot Ovadje of The Punch won the News Photography category with his entry, ‘Overcoming Odds: Ilaje women navigates waters to vote in Ondo polls’
Abimbola Adelakun of The Punch emerged winner of the Informed Commentary category, ahead of fellow nominees Lasisi Olagunju of the Nigerian Tribune and Azu Ishiekwene of Leadership.
In the Investigative Reporting category, Abdulrasheed Hammad emerged winner for his report, ‘For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence’.
Meanwhile, Chikodi Okereocha of The Nation won the top prize for Energy Reporting.
Corporate awards
The Guardian was named the Best Designed Media Website, beating BusinessDay and ThisDay.
Vanguard won Child-Friendly Medium award. The Sun and Independent were the other nominees.
Daily Trust won Best Designed Newspaper award ahead of ThisDay and Leadership.
In the Editorial Writing category, The Punch emerged winner, beating The Vanguard and The Nation newspapers.
Honorary Fellows
DAME conferred the title of honorary fellows on three veteran journalists: Dare Babarinsa, Najeem Jimoh, and Owei Lakemfa.
According to the organisers, Mr Babarinsa, a co-founder of Tell Magazine, has remained a prominent public thinker whose commentary helps shape national discourse.
“Through his writings, Babarinsa continues to serve as a thought leader, guiding the public on issues of national importance. His experience highlights the strength of historical perspective, ethical reporting. and mentorship in surmounting challenges,” DAME Awards wrote.
Mr Lakemfa, who spent decades writing for Vanguard, was praised for a career that influenced public debate for more than forty years. DAME said his legacy continues to inspire generations of writers, activists, and media professionals.
“For his exceptional contribution to journalism and national development, we proudly present Owei Lakemfa as an Honorary Fellow of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence,” the award organisers said.
DAME also highlighted Mr Jimoh’s enduring impact on newsroom culture, noting that the former Punch editor is celebrated for his commitment to ethical journalism and mentorship.
“Najeem Jimoh is a good representation of how a Nigerian journalist has transformed the face of Nigerian journalism as an activist to multimedia leadership. Jimoh was bestowed the name “Strato” (abbreviated from strategy) due to his ability to exercise good tact in student protests,” DAME said.
For 34 years, DAME said it has presented 643 title awards, alongside 31 lifetime honours in 19 years and 11 honorary fellowships in the past five years.
