PUNCH Newspaper Reporter Wins Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Media Award
In a prestigious event held on Tuesday at MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos State, Edidiong Ikpoto, a reporter from PUNCH newspaper's Business Desk, clinched the coveted title of winner in the Newspaper category of the 8th edition of the MAN Reporter of the Year Award. Ikpoto's outstanding performance saw him submitting 87 entries and scoring 88 points, securing the top position.
Competing fiercely against skilled counterparts, Ikpoto surpassed Taiwo Hassan of the New Telegraph, who secured second place with 86 points in the Newspaper category. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Ikpoto, who expressed his gratitude for the recognition and emphasized its importance in advocating for Nigeria's manufacturing sector, a crucial component of the nation's economy.
Damilola Olufemi, another journalist from PUNCH, was also acknowledged, being shortlisted for the Online category of the award, further highlighting the newspaper's journalistic excellence.
The MAN Reporter of the Year Award aims to celebrate journalists who excel in their reportage, with the 2024 edition honoring accomplishments from the previous year, 2023. Francis Meshioye, President of MAN, commended journalists for their dedication to championing advocacy through insightful reportage.
Meshioye stressed the pivotal role of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria's economic development and called on the government to prioritize it for national progress. He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to address challenges facing the manufacturing industry and emphasized the importance of homegrown policy initiatives.
To enhance the manufacturing sector in 2024, MAN recommended various measures, including redirecting cost savings from fuel subsidy towards production-focused policies, overhauling the power sector, and promoting the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products in government contracts and projects.
The awards ceremony also recognized other outstanding journalists across different categories, including television, radio, online, and photojournalism, underscoring the vital role of media in highlighting issues and driving positive change within society.
