Yes, you read it right. In 2021, I had the wonderful privilege of taking home four outstanding awards for investigative journalism from the FCT of Nigeria, Abuja, Ghana, and Ibadan. These honours include the West African Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA), the Lekan Otufodunrin Journalists Award, the ICiR Data/Investigative Journalism Awards and the Youths Digest Journalism Awards.
You might wonder if that’s too many awards for one person. I was surprised too, but I am deeply grateful to the Almighty Allah for making it possible. It was truly a dream come true, especially when I brought home the WAMECA runner-up prize.
Many journalists have been amazed by my accomplishment, especially in light of the fact that I am still an undergraduate.
It has been a success story. I placed second in the Youths Digest Campus Journalism Awards in 2020. However, events began to unfold immediately after the CJA. It’s been an amazing journey. From being a runner-up at the Youths Digest Journalism Awards (CJA) in Abuja in 2020 to winning the inaugural Lekan Otufodunrin Journalists Award, runner-up at WAMECA 2021, then the ICIR Data/Investigative Journalism Awards first runner-up and winner of the CJA Photo category—all within the same year—I received four awards in 2021.
Arriving in FCT for the 2021 CJA Awards
When I arrived in Abuja, I immediately went to Asokoro. It is a great residential area, and I was impressed by the stunning structures, flowers, well-kept roads, and overall sense of security. Asokoro was delightful in almost every way.
I arrived in FCT late due to a slight delay and met my colleagues later that night at the hotel. We were lodged at the Peace Haven Hotel, the same residence during the 2020 awards ceremony. As I approached the reception area, I noticed Gidado Yushau, the event’s organiser and Editor of Youths Digest, eagerly awaiting us and communicating with other registrants who were still on their way.
We exchanged greetings with a friendly smile, and I was soon directed to my designated room. I had the pleasure of meeting Abdulhamid, a three-time CJA awardee from Bayero University in Kano, shortly after.
Making the Shortlist
It was both exhausting and exhilarating to find that I had been chosen as a finalist. After hours of travel and a completely drained phone battery, I connected to the internet and discovered the fantastic news after charging.
I became overwhelmed with joy and pride at being named a finalist in the Youths Digest Journalism Awards 2021. It was the second year in a row that I had made the shortlist for this national prize.
Furthermore, this was the fifth time in 2021 that I had been nominated for a journalism award, a testament to the integrity and quality of my reports. I am grateful for Allah’s blessings upon my work.
As is customary, we began planning for the awards that night.
Winning Youths Digest Journalism Awards 2021
The award ceremony recognised the exceptional achievements of vibrant campus journalists from various tertiary institutions, as well as the event’s important supporters and partners.
My father was attending the Youths Digest Journalism Awards for the second time, and he had to leave to accept a phone call just as I was being presented with my award.
I had the unusual privilege of being the first person to collect an award while wearing a turban at the Youths Digest Journalism Awards. I am overjoyed to have earned this national honour after two attempts, despite competing against excellent journalists from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and beyond.
Mal. Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Defence Editor of Blueprint Newspaper and former Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State Governor, presented the award to me at Hotel 2020.
Surprisingly, Mal. Jibrin was also the one who presented me with a certificate of excellence at CJA in 2020, when I finished second. What an amazing coincidence!
When the event’s MC, Mr. Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice, revealed the winner in my category, I knew he was talking about me. However, he prefixed my name with the title “Malam,” and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was another “Malam” shortlisted in my category. The audience exploded in applause as I ascended the platform, eagerly anticipating the presence of their “Malam.”
Incidentally, I was wearing a turban at the time. Mal. Jibrin Baba, the award presenter, also mentioned the title ‘Malam’ before my name. I glanced at the award, half-expecting to find it included there, but it wasn’t. I remain uncertain whether it was my turban that earned me the honorary title of ‘Malam.’
Alhamdulillah, receiving such commendation is truly gratifying. One of the esteemed members of the high table also extended his congratulations to me.
As I mentioned before, this victory is dedicated to the North East. Among the four awards I won in 2021, this is the only one I received in person.
Abuja at night
Following the event, I returned to Asokoro, which seemed to take on an even more captivating appearance at night. As road users began their respective journeys, the illuminated city, accompanied by the joyful sounds of vehicle horns, created a vibrant atmosphere.
Throughout the trip, I took advantage of every opportunity to observe the places we passed, wondering if they were welcoming, surprising, or even disappointing. Such are the eyes of a journalist, always eager to discover the sights and experiences of the FCT at night.
Upon arriving in Asokoro, I noticed the presence of police officers. As a journalist, I inquired with the driver if they were on patrol, only to learn that the area we were approaching usually had tight security measures in place due to the presence of high-ranking government officials.
Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim is the proud recipient of the Youth Digest Journalism Awards 2021 in the Photo-Journalist category. He can be reached via awwalbinibrahim@gmail.com.
