Gifted journalist, Rita Okoye of The Sun Newspaper Nigeria emerged Entertainment Writer of the Year at the just concluded 13th edition of Nigeria Media Nite-Out Awards (NMNA).
The enterprising writer clinched the award alongside Ayo Alonge and Funsho Arogundade of the aforementioned Newspaper who won the ‘Business writer and Society writer of the year’ awards respectively.
The event which was held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, and themed: “The Nigerian Economy and Political Development: Finding the Missing Piece,” had the keynote address delivered by a former presidential aspirant, John Onche Shaibu, with Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, who was special guest of honour, recognised as the Most Security-Conscious Governor of the Year.
Rita Okoye popular for her weekly entertainment page, Inside Nollywood, is a seasoned entertainment and lifestyle writer who is has become one of the nation’s most sought after entertainment correspondents. Okoye’s knack for unique story angles makes her page a must-read.
The Anambra Stare born sought after media gal has worked and made a visible impact in reputable media houses in and out of Nigeria. This includes the likes of Complete Fashion, Beauty Box, Hints, Nigeria Films, Entertainment Express, Kemi Filani News, Vanguard Allure Magazine, Dailypost, Al Jazeera, defunct National Life and more.
Rita Okoye also owns and manages her personal blog; pearlsnews.com
Expressing her excitement, Ms. Okoye stated that her joy knows no bounds as she looks forward to bigger achievements. “I’m happy to say that indeed hard work pays. I appreciate the organizers for putting this together to encourage all media practitioners out there. We need to celebrate ourselves, this job is not an easy one. I also hope and pray for more recognition home and abroad,” she said.
Over the last 13 years of its existence, the NMNA has been acknowledged as a platform which seeks to recognise the sterling performances of journalists and all media professionals across the country.
Organizers at the event said all awardees deserved their respective laurels, as adjudged by the jury, having played their parts in the development of their careers and the profession of journalism in general.
One of the high points of the event was the posthumous recognition of Late Precious Owolabi, the corps member with Channels Television who was killed in Abuja, during the clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites, and the police.
Late Owolabi was honoured with the award of the Reporter of the Year. A property development agency, Revolution Plus, also gifted a plot of land in Lagos to his parents who could not hold their tears, while receiving both the plague and gift.
