A journalist with The PUNCH, Damilola Olufemi, on Thursday, emerged as the winner of the Sanlam Award Best Newcomer in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Damilola, a graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, who was among other African journalists, emerged victorious in the “Best Newcomer” category, following his nomination in the 2022 edition of the Sanlam Financial Journalism Awards.
Damilola, who was formerly on the Investigation Desk of this paper, wrote a couple of investigative stories, which were received for the nomination.
His two-part investigation titled “How delays, costly court processes frustrate families’ access to deceased’s savings” (https:///how-delays-costly-court-processes-frustrate-families-access-to-deceaseds-savings-ii/) made the headline of winning his category.
Damilola has over the years written for several local and continental media platforms in different niches.
The Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism have acknowledged and awarded outstanding business journalists in Africa since 1974.
Other categories of the award include The African Growth Story, Business and Companies, Economy, Financial Markets, Consumer Financial Education, Broadcast: Radio/Audio/Podcasting (in business reporting), and Broadcast: Television/Video (in business reporting).
Two new categories have been added to the awards this year under ESG: Business and the Environment; and Business and Society – two of some of the hottest topics for financial journalists.
According to the organisers, the new category “received an impressive response from the journalists, as did other popular categories such as Business and Companies and the African Growth Story. The broadcast categories attracted a significantly limited number of entries.”
While speaking, the Chief Executive of Sanlam Group, Paul Hanratty disclosed that the award has expanded over the years and this has also served as an encouragement for journalists in their various fields.
“This year we have over 150 entries from across the continent in various languages. Sanlam has a proud track record of supporting financial journalism & recognises that a vibrant society must have robust journalism.
“I ask all the financial journalists to keep up the great work, it’s really your effort that helps us deliver what we need to in the economic space,” he said.
The Chair of the independent judging panel and a communications consultant, Mr Nixon Kariithi, noted that the entries were highly competitive, covering various issues in Africa.
He said, “The Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism continue to grow from strength to strength with widespread participation from across the continent. The entries were highly competitive, covering a range of topical issues impacting Africa’s economy, and reflected the relevance of financial journalism on governance, and combining the world of business with compelling human-interest angles.”
Other Nigerian journalists who emerged victorious include Justice Nwafor (ESG Winner category), Kingsley Jeremiah (First Runner-up, African Growth Story), Ronald Adamolekun (Winner, African Growth Story), Destiny Onyemihia (Second Runner up Broadcast: Audio).
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