Edwin Philip, a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ)Nasarawa State Council was over the weekend honoured with an Award of the NUJ Touch Bearer of Press Freedom Award over the weekend as part of activities marking this this year’s Press Freedom Day
Philip was honoured alongside seven others in the category, his award was predicated on his attack by officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) during the 2023 governorship and Houses of Assembly election while reporting for Breeze FM Lafia.
Krestnews recalls that the attack on the journalists,Edwin resulted to severe injuries, lost of valuables and hospitalization while on official coverage of the election in Lafia, the State capital.
Speaking during the Award presentation the President of the NUJ, Dr. Chris Isiguzu, said the award was a catalyst in the mobilisation of citizenry to hold their leaders accountable as well as promote speaking truth to power.
“The press is the fourth Estate of the Realm and recognised by the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended, stressing that it is the duty of the press to hold government accountable for one half of the voiceless and the vulnerable in the country”
According to the NUJ President, many Journalist in Nigeria have faced harassment, threat, physical abuse, imprisonment and even death in the course of discharging their duties, saying that it is the courage and sacrifice of these Journalists that neccesited the puting up the 2024 Nigerian Union of Journalist Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards.
“Mr. Edwin Philip, one of the recipients of the Touch Bearer of Press Freedom Awards, said he is particularly delighted to be recognized and honoured with the award, among other eight colleagues, who were victims of brutality by the people in power, their supporters/sympathisers, security personnels being their usual tool of oppression and suppression of the free press.
“Am also saddened with the same energy of my delightfulness feeling that I stood on that podium to receive the award Saturday night, on the blood and agony of colleagues some dead, missing, incarcerated and incapacitated, not because they committed any crimes against the State but rather were religiously abiding by Nigeria 1999 constitution as amended in section 33 and 39 and article of 4 and amended in section 33 and 39 and article 4 and 9 of African Charter of Human and People’s Right.”
The Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards 2024, featured categories of Touch Bearer of Press Freedom Award, Lifetime Achievement Awards, Defender of Press Freedom Award and Good Governance Award.
Krestnews report that the impressive ceremony feature keynotes address delivered by the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, while the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi chaired the occasion.
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