Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) announces recipient for 2023 Courage in Journalism Award

Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) announces recipient for 2023 Courage in Journalism Award

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

Today, AMDF wishes to announce that Breeze FM 99.9 Lafia, Nassarawa State Nigeria has emerged the recipient for the 2023 AMDF Courage in Journalism Awards.

This declaration was made in a statement signed by the Executive Director, Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), Sekyen Dadik, made available to newsmen.

According to the statement,

“Breeze 99.9 FM is the first privately owned radio station Nassarawa State, commissioned in March 2017, and demolished same year by the former Governor of Nassarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura.

“Also, In March 2023, a staff of the organization (Breeze (99.9 FM) was attacked by personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) while covering the 2023 general elections. Local reports revealed that the journalist was ordered to be beaten by Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Chief of Staff to the Emir of Lafia; leaving the journalist with a deep cut on head and swollen body.

“The board of AMDF having considered these, decided to present this prestigious award to Breeze 99.9 FM Lafia. The Courage in Journalism Award is presented to journalists and media organizations that have demonstrated courage in the work they do exhibiting resilience and courage despite facing various forms of attacks and oppressions.

“This award will be presented at the 5th edition of the Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture taking place on September 19th, 2023, 11:00am, West African time, via Zoom at 10am. “

The statement also acknowledges the memory of Mr. Bagauda Kaltho, a courageous and fearless Nigerian investigative Journalist who disappeared unceremoniously in the course of his professional duties, over two decades ago.

ABOUT BAGAUDA KALTHO MEDIA LECTURE SERIES

“Named after a Nigerian investigative Journalist that went missing, ‘Bagauda Kaltho’ Memorial Media Lecture examines varying issues that impact on media practise in Africa, as well as its role in shaping democracy.

Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) believes the Lecture Series will serve as a compendium and assist media professionals in finding bearing, as well as contribute to the body of knowledge.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) is an organisation that provides professional support to media and sustainable development initiatives. It registered with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission in 2014. More about AMDF can be found on its website https://amdf-centre.org