Journalists in Imo State have renewed calls on Governor Hope Uzodimma to fulfil promises made under the Governor Hope Uzodimma Media Excellence Awards (GHUME), an initiative launched in 2021 to honour outstanding media practitioners in the state.
The awards, warmly received at inception, were designed to recognize the dedication, sacrifices and impact of journalists in promoting accountability and good governance. The first and second editions were successfully held, but since then, the scheme appears to have lost momentum.
Most concerning, stakeholders noted, is that several winners publicly announced in 2023, have yet to receive their prizes. This delay, they argue, is not only disappointing but also undermines morale in the journalism community.
“Journalists continue to play a vital role in democracy, and recognition of their work should be consistent and sincere, not selective,” one of the awardees stated.
The development comes against the backdrop of a recent report by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), which ranked Imo as the most hostile environment for journalism in Nigeria, scoring 40.70 percent in its Openness Index. The findings, unveiled by Professor Victor Ayedun-Aluma of the University of Jos, highlight growing concerns over press freedom in the state.
Observers believe that fulfilling commitments to the GHUME awards would help Governor Uzodimma reaffirm his administration’s support for a free and vibrant press, while also restoring trust with media professionals.