By Justina Ashishana
SALAMATU ABDULLAHI Abubakar, a recent Mass Communication graduate from Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, emerged as the overall winner of the 2nd Aisha Wakaso Award for Young Female Journalists.
The first and second runners-up were also recent graduates for the award meant for upcoming female journalists and young female journalists between the ages of 18 to 29 years living, practicing or schooling in Niger State.
Salamatu’s essay came top among the 12 entries that were submitted for the competition. The theme of the essay to be submitted is “Paving the way for Gender Equality in Media Representation.”
The Judges which include a senior Lagos-based investigative journalist, Media Trainer and Mentor, Ms. Joke Kujenya, also a publisher and Mediapreneur, a retired journalist with the Niger State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Niger), Sa’adatu Alhassan and the Managing Director of Ultimate FM Minna and CEO of Lina TV, Celine Moses, noted that Salamatu’s report effectively highlighted the impact of gender inequality on women journalists, portraying them as marginalized and silenced within the industry.
“The entry stands out as the first-winning report due to its comprehensive analysis, evidence-based approach, practical solutions, and engaging presentation. It effectively educates, persuades, and inspires action, making a compelling case for gender equality in media representation.
“By providing concrete examples of discrimination and underrepresentation, the report creates empathy and understanding among readers, strengthening its persuasive appeal. Moreover, the report’s emphasis on the role of the media in shaping societal perceptions of gender adds depth to its argument.
“The entry recognizes the media’s influence as a double-edged sword, capable of perpetuating harmful stereotypes but also driving positive change. This nuanced understanding demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of the issue and enhances the report’s credibility”, the Judges stated.
Moses Ruth Seyi emerged as the second winner while Habiba Abdul emerged as the third winner.
The winners were announced during the award ceremony held at the IBB Pen House in Minna and were respectively awarded cash prizes, a certificate and a book titled Distortion by a female journalist, Ejiro Umukoro.
A N100,000 cash prize was awarded to the overall winner, while the second winner got N60,000 cash prize and third winner got N40,000 cash prize.
The Organizer and Special Adviser on Print Media to the Niger state Governor, Ms. Aisha Wakaso said that the annual event which is meant to commemorate her birthday is aimed at empowering and encouraging young female journalists who are the future of journalism.
She however lamented on the over-reliance of young pr0fessionals on Artificial Intelligence (AI) which reflected when the essays were submitted disclosing that out of the 12 entries received, six were disqualified because they were found to be 100 per cent written by AI.
“AI has come to make life easy but not to make you dumb. AI helps finetune what you have in you. The AI written entries were disqualified,” Aisha stressed, adding, “I intend to groom young, courageous and bold ladies to take up the baton of journalism, these would be young ladies who can soar higher. I want to see young female journalists defend themselves and be better”, she affirmed.
In his keynote address, the Founder of the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation (HCAF), Baba Dzukogi tasked young journalists to abide strictly by the tenets of the practice which demands that they become judges over the government and its activities.
“Journalists are street judges; they are among those who should ensure justice and equitable distribution of resources. I want to remind you to keep up to your responsibility because after the court, you are next.”
The Director of Administration in the Niger state Ministry of Communication, Hajiya Suad Yakawu applauded the Organiser for the award while urging the winners not to let the fire burn down but to embrace journalism and keep to its ethics.
The State Commissioner of Lands, Barrister Maurice Magaji harped on the need for the winners and other young journalists to place importance in discipline, career path and value for life pledging to support the award so that it would become a national award to encourage young female journalists across the nation.
Expressing gratitude for coming tops at the highly challenging competition, Salamatu Abdullahi Abubakar said she appreciates God as well as the organizer for the opportunity and award, saying she really did not expect to win.
“However, I am someone who is always passionate about learning new things to broaden my knowledge base and expand my horizon. So, I took it up. I am also a person who finds delight in baking. But, I really envision a future as a successful journalist where my pen tells a story that makes a difference and gives voice to the voiceless.”
Also speaking, the third winner, Habiba Abdul says she intends to further her education adding that she wants to make a mark in the field of journalism and intends to be mentored by well-known journalists.
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