NCDMB Reaffirms Commitment to Journalism Excellence, Rewards Niger Delta Reporters

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting professionalism and excellence in journalism, particularly in reporting developments in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, gave the assurance at the 13th edition of the Bayelsa Media Awards (BMA) in Yenagoa, where three journalists received awards sponsored by the board for their contributions to economic and oil and gas reporting in the Niger Delta.

Ogbe, who was represented by the Manager, Government Relations, Mr Teddy Bai, described the media as an important partner in communicating the board’s activities and improving public understanding of developments in the oil and gas sector.

He said credible journalism played a significant role in promoting accountability, shaping public discourse and informing citizens about development initiatives.

The NCDMB chief executive, who also participated in a panel discussion at the event, acknowledged the contributions of media practitioners to the establishment, growth and visibility of the board.

He said the board valued its longstanding relationship with journalists and would continue to support initiatives designed to encourage responsible reporting and professional standards in the media industry.

Ogbe also commended the organisers of the Bayelsa Media Awards for sustaining a platform that recognises excellence and encourages healthy competition among journalists.

The awards, which coincided with activities marking the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State’s creation, attracted media practitioners from Rivers, Cross River, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Delta states.

As part of its sponsorship, the NCDMB presented awards in three categories, with each winner receiving N1 million and a brand-new laptop.

Blessing Ibunge of THISDAY Newspaper, Port Harcourt, won the NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region’s Oil and Gas Print Reporter of the Year.

Joseph Kunde of TVC Yenagoa emerged winner of the NCDMB Prize for Niger Delta Region’s Report on Economy, while Ebitimi Zitimiyola of NTA Yenagoa won the Oil and Gas Broadcast Reporter of the Year award.

The awards recognised the journalists’ contributions to reporting critical economic and industrial issues affecting the Niger Delta, a region central to Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Bayelsa Media Awards, Mr Victor Binawari, said the initiative was established to recognise media professionals whose contributions to promoting individuals, businesses and institutions often went unacknowledged.

Binawari explained that the organisers had adopted transparent judging procedures to strengthen the credibility of the awards and ensure that winners emerged on the basis of the quality of their work rather than their identities.

According to him, experienced professionals and academics assessed the entries, an approach he said had encouraged wider participation by journalists across the Niger Delta.

He noted that recognising outstanding journalistic work was important to sustaining professional standards and motivating practitioners to improve the quality of their reporting.

In a keynote address, the Bayelsa State Government also underscored the importance of a professional media in promoting accountability, transparency and good governance.

The Secretary to the State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Alfred Nimizigha, said the media had contributed to public enlightenment through its coverage of government policies, development projects and security issues.

He urged journalists to sustain professionalism while strengthening their capacity in emerging areas of journalism, including digital reporting, data analysis, fact-checking and investigative journalism.

The state government’s message highlighted the changing demands of the media landscape and the need for journalists to acquire the skills required to report complex economic, political and security developments accurately.

The 13th Bayelsa Media Awards celebrated journalists whose work contributes to public awareness and informed discussion of issues affecting the Niger Delta.

For the NCDMB, its participation also reinforced the importance of maintaining constructive engagement with the media as the board pursues its mandate of developing and monitoring Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.

Through its support for the awards, the board sought to recognise reporting that deepens public understanding of the petroleum sector and its economic significance, while encouraging journalists to uphold the principles of accuracy, accountability and professionalism.