As the preparation for the 31st edition of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, DAME, gathers steam, the DAME secretariat has named a 17-member panel of judges.
The list shows a good blend of veterans and emerging leaders of six women and eleven men, drawn from the academia, media practice, and the industry.
In a statement by Ibrahim Lateef, programme manager at DAME, the women were listed as Mrs. Wale Sokunbi, former editorial page editor of the Sun; Mrs. Tinu Odugbemi, former chairperson of the Lagos chapter of National Association of Women Journalists; Mrs. Victoria Ibanga, publisher/editor-in-chief of the Next Edition; Dr. Lola Akande of the Department of English, University of Lagos, Ms. Efiom Asuquo, a chartered insurer and former broadcaster, and Ms. Onyinye Muomah of the PIND Foundation.
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The menfolk has Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, vice chancellor of Caleb University, Imota; Mr. Emiko Aruofor, CEO of Pulsar Advertising; Mr. Toyin Gbadebo, retired director of programmes at Ogun State Radio; Mr. Demola Oyinlola, former executive editor at Tell; Mr. Kehinde Taiwo, retired director of administration at Radio Nigeria; Mr. Feyi Smith, executive secretary of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria; Mr. Taiwo Obileye, veteran broadcaster and actor; Mr. Muda Ganiyu, media trainer and former editor of the Nigerian Tribune; Dr. Kunle Ogedengbe, a senior lecturer in mass communication at Trinity University, Lagos; Messr. Ayodeji Olonode and Mr. Femi Babatunde, two emerging Development scholars.
The judges will consider entries in 25 categories and submit their shortlist for a peer review before passing the final recommendation to the DAME trustees.
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DAME remains a treasured award for media professionals that benchmarks performance and strengthens public confidence in the craft of journalism and broadcasting as an agent of national development.
Public and private institutions as well as individuals with healthy interest in the media fund DAME.
They include UNICEF; Nestle; Joint Admission Matriculation Board; PIND; Lagos State Government; Mr. Moses Ihonde, and the families of the following deceased patrons: Mr. Tunji Oseni, Chief Segun Olusola, Mr. Simeon Idowu, Asipa Ahmed Onibudo, and Justice Omotayo Onalaja.
