4 Nigerians shortlisted for the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014

Finalists in the 19th installment of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards have been announced with 4 Nigerians journalists making it to the list.

The 4 Nigerian journalists are: Obinna Emelike of Business Day; Ben Ezeamalu & Emmanuel Ogala from Premium Times; Olatunji Ololade of The Nation Newspaper, and Bayo Olupohunda, a Columnist of Punch Newspaper.

Together with the other finalists, they will enjoy an all-expenses paid four day programme of workshops, media forums and networking in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania culminating in a Gala Award Ceremony on Saturday 18 October 2014. ‘CNN NewsCenter’ anchor Isha Sessay will host the Gala Award Ceremony.

This year the competition received entries from 38 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa

Other finalists from 10 countries are:

Daniel Biaou Adje, ORTB, Benin; Safia Berkouk, El Watan, Algeria; Vinayak Bhardwaj & Tabelo Timse, M&G Centre for Investigative Journalism, Mail & Guardian, South Africa; Romão Brandão, Jornal OPAÍS, Angola; Sean Christie, Freelance for Landbouweekblad and The Mail & Guardian, South Africa; Bob Koigi, Farmbizafrica.com, Kenya; Joseph Mathenge, Freelance for The Saturday Nation, Kenya; Anne Mawathe & Rashid Ibrahim, Citizen TV, Kenya; Patrick Mayoyo, Daily Nation, Kenya.

Others include: Christine Muthee & Oliver Oscar Ochanda, Media Development in Africa (MEDEVA), Kenya; Dickson Ng’hily, The Guardian, Tanzania; John Muchangi Njiru, The Star Newspaper, Kenya; Ossène Ouattara, Infoduzanzan.com, Côte d’Ivoire; Brito Simango, Televisão de Moçambique, Moçambique; Joy Summers & Susan Comrie, Mnet Carte Blanche, South Africa; Suy Kahofi, Freelance for West Africa Democracy Radio, Senegal; Paballo Thekiso, Saturday Star, South Africa; Bento Venancio, Jornal Domingo, Moçambique and Evelyn Watta, Sportsnewsarena.com, Kenya.

Announcing the finalists, chairperson of the independent judging panel Ferial Haffajee said: “2013 was a huge news year, and the stories from our continent set a global agenda. The judges were pleased with the quality of entries, and were impressed by the depth of specialist beat reporting.

In addition, they noted the growing sophistication of the use of images and pictures across all platforms.”

The independent judging panel, chaired by Ferial Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief, City Press, South Africa includes: Debo Adesina, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria; Betty Dindi, Managing Editor of QTV, Nation Media Group, Kenya; Jean-Paul Gérouard, Editor-in-Chief, France Télévisions ; Anton Harber, Caxton Professor of Journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Joel Kibazo, Director of Communications, Africa Development Bank; Arlindo Lopes, Regional Regulatory GM, MultiChoice Angola; Amadou Mahtar Ba, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, AllAfrica Global Media; Kim Norgaard, CNN Africa Bureau Chief; Aires Walter dos Santos, Account Executive, iSenta Comunicação & Imagem SA, Angola.

The competition is once again supported by the following sponsors, who continue to lend their valuable support to the awards: The Coca-Cola Company; Ecobank; GE Africa; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and A24 Media.

The finalists will enjoy an all-expenses paid four day programme of workshops, media forums and networking in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania culminating in a Gala Award Ceremony on Saturday 18 October 2014.

The host for the evening is CNN International anchor and correspondent Isha Sesay, host of ‘CNN NewsCenter’.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice-President and Managing Director of CNN International said: “I have witnessed the quality and excellence of work in this competition strengthen year on year, and am proud that it continues to maintain its place as the most prestigious Pan African journalist awards. Just as CNN encourages, promotes and recognises excellence in journalism at all levels, we are particularly pleased to be able to support journalists who represent our future.”

Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa said: “MultiChoice Africa congratulates all finalists and thanks our esteemed panel of judges for taking time to select the very best of African journalism.

As a company born and bred in Africa we have an unmatched passion for the continent and believe in making long term and sustainable invests in order to enable development and to create a meaningful legacy in the countries in which we operate.

These awards demonstrate CNN’s and MultiChoice’s commitment to the development of media in Africa, Meyer said – and this is a very special year as we celebrate our 10th year of our partnership.”