The 2024 Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Media Awards went down in a colourful ceremony in Kenya’s capital Nairobi with journalists being feted for transformative and enduring in keeping the public informed on reginal development issues.
Themed “Narratives of Hope: Inspiring Peaceful, Secure, and Inclusive Futures,” the ceremony highlighted the media’s role in promoting peace, security, and regional integration.
Hosted at the imposing Argyle Hotel the awards celebrated 18 exceptional media professionals for their contributions to journalism across the IGAD region with Kenya’s Senior Reporter Lilian Muli and Uganda’s Henry Okurut emerging winners in the TV category.
The print category went to Sudanese Salma Abdulaziz as well as Ethiopian investigative reporter Girmachew Sigei.
The Lifetime Achievement award was bagged by Kenya’s veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho sharing the limelight with Mohamed ShiL of Somalia in an event attended by Kenya’s Environment Minister Adan Duale.
Other winners included Ugandan Gloria Laker and Kenyan Sharon Barang’a for the best journalism in Gender Responsive Awards category.
Photography Category winners were Dennish Ochieng (Kenya) and Guirreh Moumin (Djibouti).
So were climate change advocates Anita Soina of Kenya and Famima Mohamed, a Djiboudi Gender Activist who bagged the Influencer Award.
Radio that still commands the highest audience in Africa had its winners too that saw Nambi Catherine of Uganda and her South Sudan counterpart Marmer Abraham emerge on top.
Marmar compatriot Richard Sultan and Sudanese Ikhlass Mimer took gold in the Digital Media category.
For the national language category Somali’s Cabdirashid Nur and Ethiopia’s Misikr Awel triumphed.
This year, 18 winners were chosen from over 500 submissions spanning print, radio, television, and digital media. The winners will receive certificates, token prizes, and an exclusive invitation to participate in a one-day workshop focused on IGAD’s work within the region.
“The media is a vital conduit for information and understanding in our region. It provides the platform to unite our voices and overcome the issues we face. These awards are a tribute to the courage, creativity, and dedication of journalists who choose to tell stories that inspire change and progress, ” said IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, in his address.
Additionally, they will be accredited to attend major IGAD events, granting them access to regional assemblies and expert briefings.
Additional information by Ojojo Makojijo
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