Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, a former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and an experienced figure in international football administration with roles in FIFA and CAF, has lauded the Nigeria Sports Journalists In Diaspora (NSJID) for their innovative Grassroots Awards initiative. He emphasized the significance of this award, particularly in a media landscape often dominated by coverage of European leagues, highlighting its potential to stimulate growth and development within Nigerian football. Ojo-Oba believes the NSJID’s focus on grassroots reporting fills a crucial gap and expressed his strong support for the organizers’ vision. His endorsement underscores the importance of recognizing and promoting journalistic efforts that focus on the foundational levels of Nigerian sports.
The NSJID appointed Ojo-Oba as Chairman of the award ceremony, a testament to his standing within the football community. The ceremony, scheduled to be held at the National Stadium in Lagos, marks a significant milestone in recognizing and incentivizing quality sports journalism focused on grassroots sports. This strategic choice of venue adds to the event’s prestige and underscores its national importance. The awards aim to celebrate the best in grassroots sports reporting, offering substantial prize money totaling N2 million across four competitive categories: Print Journalism, TV Broadcasting, Radio Broadcasting, and Online/Social Media. This substantial financial reward demonstrates the NSJID’s commitment to valuing and supporting the work of sports journalists dedicated to covering grassroots sports.
Gboyega Okegbenro, Chairman of the organizing committee, emphasized the prestige associated with these awards, highlighting the recognition they bring to the ‘crème de la crème’ of grassroots sports reporting. The substantial prize money, with N500,000 allocated to the winner of each category, underscores the commitment to rewarding excellence in this often-overlooked area of sports journalism. The awards are designed to incentivize in-depth coverage of grassroots sports and encourage journalists to delve into the stories and talent emerging from the foundational levels of Nigerian sports.
The nominees for the Print Journalism category include seasoned reporters Abiodun Adewale, Olawale Olaniran, and Jacob Ajom, reflecting a diverse range of experience and expertise within the print media. In the increasingly influential Online/Social Media category, Samuel Ahmadu, Naifooty, and Hassan Abdulsalam of Pulse Sports Nigeria are vying for the top spot, demonstrating the growing impact of digital platforms in sports reporting. These nominations acknowledge the significant role online and social media play in disseminating sports news and reaching wider audiences.
The Radio Broadcasting category features a strong lineup of nominees, including Dayo Amusan of Faaji FM, Maxwell Lawrence, and Brila FM’s Tony Bekederemo. These individuals represent the continuing importance of radio as a medium for sports news and analysis, especially in reaching diverse communities across Nigeria. In the Television category, Blessing Nwosu, Cecilia Omoregbe, and Boluwaji Ogunmola are competing for the award, showcasing the vital role of television in providing visual coverage of sporting events and athlete profiles. These nominees collectively reflect the diverse media landscape within Nigeria and the importance of each platform in promoting grassroots sports.
The NSJID Grassroots Awards ceremony is poised to be a significant event, bringing together prominent figures from the sports world to celebrate the crucial role of sports journalism in promoting grassroots development. The awards offer a platform to recognize the dedicated journalists who uncover the stories and talent emerging from the foundational levels of Nigerian sports. This initiative aims to inspire continued growth and development in grassroots sports by showcasing the individuals and communities driving its progress. The substantial prize money and national recognition associated with these awards are expected to further elevate the profile of grassroots sports reporting in Nigeria.
