AMDF honours Breeze FM Lafia with ‘Courage in Journalism Award 2023’

By Victor Habila

The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has announced Breeze FM 99.9 Lafia, Nassarawa State Nigeria as the recipient for the 2023 AMDF Courage in Journalism Awards.

Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has announced Breeze FM 99.9 Lafia, Nassarawa State Nigeria as the recipient for the 2023 AMDF Courage in Journalism Awards.

The announcement was contained in a statement by its Executive Director, Sekyen Dadik, on Monday.

Dadik said the Courage in Journalism Award is presented to journalists and media organizations that have demonstrated courage in the work they do, exhibiting resilience and courage despite facing various forms of attacks and oppressions.

According to him, in March 2023, a staff of the organization (Breeze (99.9 FM) was attacked by personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) while covering the 2023 general elections.

“Local reports revealed that the journalist was ordered to be beaten by Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Chief of Staff to the Emir of Lafia; leaving the journalist with a deep cut on head and swollen body”, the Executive Director added.

Dadek disclosed that the board of AMDF having considered the situation, decided to present the prestigious award to Breeze 99.9 FM Lafia for the 2023 category.

Breeze 99.9 FM is the first privately owned radio station Nassarawa State, commissioned in March 2017, and demolished same year by the former Governor of Nassarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura.

The award is said to be presented at the 5th edition of the Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture taking place on September 19th, 2023, 11:00am, West African time, via Zoom at 10am.

Named after a Nigerian investigative Journalist that went missing, ‘Bagauda Kaltho’ Memorial Media Lecture examines varying issues that impact on media practise in Africa, as well as its role in shaping democracy.

According to the statement; “Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) believes the Lecture Series will serve as compendium and assist media professionals in finding bearing, as well as contribute to the body of knowledge”.

Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) is an organisation that provides professional support to media and sustainable development initiatives. It registered with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission in 2014.