The award night organized by the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, at the state Ministry of Justice was a joyful moment for all practicing journalists across the state, but not on the side of a photo journalist attached to the state newspaper corporation.
Mr. Chris Monyanaga, a photo journalists attached to Tide newspaper who was at the ceremony, frowned at the non-inclusion of photo journalists in the award entries.
The experienced photo journalist of over 20 years argued that since the inception of journalists’ award in the state photo journalists were never left out in the award entries because they play important role in the media, especially in sports, which is synonymous with pictures.
According to him, during the 1993 Rivers State NUJ award, “My assistant who participated in the award emerged the best photo journalists in the state.”
Mr. Chris called on the NUJ in the state to always include photo journalists in subsequent award categories.
During the award night, the NUJ bestored award on five journalists in the state based on their merit.
They are, Mr. Tonye Orabere of Tide newspapers, Best Sports Reporter, Mr. Chris Eze, Secretary, Federated Chapel, Best Business Reporter, Mr. Ndu Ajie of RSTV, Best Judicial Reporter, Mr. Anayo Onukwugha of Leadership newspaper, Best Political Reporter, Mr. Abraham Ajaero, Best Investigative Reporter as well as the Best Journalist of the year 2011.
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
