The Managing Editor of Hybrid News Nigeria, Mr. Hyacinth Nwafor, has been conferred with the Award of Excellence in Crime Reporting at the National Media Community Award (NMCA) 2025, held at the NERDC Conference Centre, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The prestigious award ceremony, organized by the Media Community Network Africa in collaboration with Daily Pride Communications, brought together an assemblage of distinguished personalities and thought leaders from the media, government, business, and public relations sectors.

According to the organisers, this year’s edition of NMCA is designed to celebrate excellence, integrity, and innovation within the Nigerian media landscape, while promoting responsible journalism as a vital tool for national unity, security consciousness, and socio-economic progress.

In a letter addressed to Mr. Nwafor, the NMCA Award Screening Committee noted: “With profound respect and professional admiration, the Governing Council, Advisory Board, and Award Screening Committee of the Media Community Network Africa are delighted to honour Mr. Hyacinth Nwafor with the Award of Excellence in Crime Reporting. His contributions to investigative journalism and public-interest reporting exemplify the courage, integrity, and professionalism that the NMCA seeks to celebrate.”

In his remarks after receiving the award, Mr. Hyacinth Nwafor expressed deep gratitude to the organizers for the recognition, describing it as both humbling and inspiring.

“I am deeply honoured and profoundly humbled to receive this award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the collective support, trust, and encouragement I have received from so many remarkable individuals along the way,” he said.

Mr. Nwafor extended special appreciation to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command, AIG Fayoade Adegoke, for his exemplary leadership and encouragement, which he described as a source of inspiration for excellence, discipline, and dedication to duty.

Reflecting on the significance of being honoured during his lifetime, he said: “It is truly a thing of great joy to be celebrated and recognized while still alive. Too often, we wait until people are gone before acknowledging their impact. Honouring people in their lifetime when they can feel and share in that joy is one of the purest forms of gratitude. It reminds us that our efforts are not in vain, that our voices matter, and that our labour of love for our nation and humanity is seen.”

Mr. Nwafor also used the occasion to draw attention to the plight of journalists across the country, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention to improve their welfare and safety.

“Journalists are the conscience of society. They tell the stories that shape nations, hold power accountable, and give voice to the voiceless. Yet, many suffer in silence, dying in poverty, battling health challenges without support, and working without safety nets or shelter. It is therefore imperative that the Federal Government and relevant authorities create stronger structures of protection, welfare, and empowerment for journalists,” he said.

He further called for policy reforms that guarantee safety, healthcare, housing, and dignity for media professionals, adding that a society that neglects its storytellers risks losing its moral compass.

“Journalists should not only be remembered in times of crisis or celebrated posthumously. They deserve to live honourably, work safely, and age gracefully. Recognition should translate into real-life impact,” Nwafor emphasized.

Concluding his speech, Mr. Nwafor expressed renewed commitment to the ideals of truth, fairness, and justice that underpin the journalism profession.

“As we celebrate today, let this award serve as a call to action, a reminder that recognition is not just about applause or trophies, but about building a system that values human lives, integrity, and service. This honour renews my dedication to the truth, to humanity, and to the noble calling of journalism. Together, we can build a better, fairer, and more compassionate society.”

The National Media Community Award (NMCA) has, over the years, evolved into one of the most respected platforms for recognizing excellence in Nigerian media. Its mission remains to encourage responsible communication and celebrate individuals and institutions making remarkable impact through journalism and public service.

Preparations for the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria (SDNON) Summit 2025 have reached their peak as the association finalizes arrangements for the highly anticipated event.

With the theme “Policy Shifts in Cyber Law and Taxation: What They Mean for the Media and Nigeria’s Economy,” the summit promises to be an engaging and insightful gathering. It will feature seasoned experts in finance, cybercrime, taxation, and public relations, who will provide in-depth analysis and practical perspectives on the evolving policy environment and its implications for the media landscape and the nation’s economy.

According to Mr. Wale Onifade, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, the event, scheduled for November 13, 2025, at the LCCI Business District, Alausa, Lagos, will commence at 10:00 a.m.

Dr. Adeniyi Ifeatayo, President of SDNON, described the association as a collective of forward-thinking media professionals committed to shaping the future of journalism in Nigeria.

Dr. Ifetayo said “Together, we promote credibility, innovation, and collaboration in Nigeria’s digital media landscape,”.

He further noted that SDNON’s mission is to empower and unify digital newspaper owners in Nigeria by fostering ethical journalism, promoting innovation, and advocating for the rights and sustainability of digital media practitioners.

Also “Our vision is to be the leading voice and authority for digital news media in Nigeria—driving credibility, professionalism, and progressive impact in the digital journalism space, he added.

By Mercy Enoch | Asaba

The Niger Delta Progressives Alliance (NDPA) has launched a sensitization campaign to educate young people across the region on how to access federal government programmes and policies designed to improve their lives.

Speaking during a one-day sensitization forum held at Bon Hotel, Asaba, over the weekend, with the theme “Empirical Perspective on President Tinubu’s Offers in Two Years: A Strategic Engagement of Niger Deltans on Accessibility”, the Convener of NDPA, Victor Udoh, said the initiative was driven by the realization that many people in the region are not benefiting from federal interventions—not because they are excluded, but because they lack the right information.

“For instance, in the 2024/2025 NELFUND student loan programme, 65 percent of beneficiaries are from the North, while 35 percent are from the South—and most of that 35 percent are from the South-West,” Udoh explained. “It’s not that our people were denied; they simply didn’t apply. Many don’t even believe these opportunities are real.”

He said the group aims to equip citizens with the knowledge to access government programmes directly, without middlemen or illegal charges. Udoh added that increased participation in initiatives such as the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) would strengthen the region’s economic base and foster peace.

“When people are economically empowered, communities become more secure and stable,” he noted. “That’s why we’re taking this message from state to state across the Niger Delta.”

Also speaking, Engr. Jator Abido, National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Council Worldwide and Paramount Ruler of Niger Delta Communities in the North, said the gap in access between northern and southern youths remains concerning.

“More northerners are taking advantage of these programmes than southerners,” he said. “That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to educate our people about these initiatives—NELFUND, SMEDAN, and other presidential projects—and how they can change lives.”

Abido highlighted federal efforts to support the region’s growth, including the award of pipeline surveillance contracts to companies such as Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), which he described as deeply committed to the development of the Niger Delta.

“PINL has played a major role in ending pipeline vandalism and oil theft,” he said. “Their operations have helped increase oil production from under one million barrels per day to nearly two million, while creating thousands of jobs for youths and funding scholarships, training, and skills acquisition programmes.”

He emphasized that these initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, calling on Niger Delta youths to embrace the opportunities available.

“The President means well for the Niger Delta,” Abido said. “Students can benefit from NELFUND loans, entrepreneurs can access SMEDAN funds, and even small producers in rural areas can get help to process and export their goods.”

The Secretary-General of NDPA and host of the event, Felix Ejenavi, said the sensitization drive—which began in Rivers State—will extend to all nine states of the Niger Delta.

In his remarks, ThankGod Trakiriowei, Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development, commended President Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for implementing programmes that have had tangible impact on citizens’ lives. He urged young people in the region to seize the opportunities available through federal and state platforms to empower themselves and build sustainable livelihoods.