…award ceremony holds November 17 in Lagos
The Publisher of National Point newspaper, Ms. Ibiba Don Pedro, is among five prominent Nigerian journalists selected to receive the Gavel International/Ernest Ikoli Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of their contributions to journalism, media development, public accountability and the defence of citizens’ rights.
Other recipients are the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Eze Anaba; Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed; Managing Director of New Telegraph, Mr. Ayodele Aminu; and the late Publisher of Eagle Online, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, who will receive the award posthumously.
The awards will be presented at the Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2026, in Lagos.
The Publisher of Gavel International, Mr. Mustapha Ogunshakin, said the five journalists were selected in recognition of their professional accomplishments, commitment to ethical journalism and contributions to the growth and credibility of the Nigerian media industry.
According to Ogunshakin, Don Pedro was recognised for her longstanding contributions to environmental journalism and advocacy against environmental degradation and injustice in the Niger Delta.
A renowned environmental journalist, author and media activist, Don Pedro has spent more than two decades documenting the environmental and human consequences of crude oil exploration and production in the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta.
Her reports have consistently highlighted the devastating effects of pollution, environmental degradation and land rights disputes on the livelihoods and natural environment of communities in the region.
Through her journalism with The Guardian, she brought national and international attention to the environmental challenges confronting oil-producing communities and the need for greater accountability in the management of the nation’s natural resources.
Her professional accomplishments have attracted several international recognitions, including the 2000 Reuters-IUCN Media Award for English-speaking Africa, the 2001 Lorenzo Natali Prize for West African Journalism and the CNN African Journalist of the Year award in 2003.
She was also a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) between 2001 and 2002.
Beyond journalism, Don Pedro has contributed to public discourse on environmental justice and the Niger Delta through several books, including Oil in the Water: Crude Power and Militancy in the Niger Delta, Out of a Bleak Landscape, Scavengers and Real Avengers of the Niger Delta and Contested Grounds.
She is also the Publisher of National Point newspaper, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The organisers said her work demonstrated the important role of journalism in documenting injustice, drawing attention to the plight of affected communities and promoting public accountability.
On the selection of Anaba, Ogunshakin said the NGE President’s nomination was informed by his longstanding commitment to the protection of citizens’ rights and sustained engagement with civil rights organisations, dating back to his early professional experience as a judicial reporter.
He noted that Anaba had consistently demonstrated a commitment to public-interest journalism, particularly through his advocacy for a society where the rights of ordinary citizens are protected against abuses by government authorities and influential individuals.
His professional convictions, courage and dedication to the defence of fundamental rights, according to the organisers, had earned him considerable respect within the journalism profession.
Similarly, Mojeed was recognised for his contributions to investigative journalism, professional integrity and the promotion of ethical standards in news reporting.
The organisers said the Premium Times Editor-in-Chief had distinguished himself through responsible journalism and efforts to develop a new generation of journalists equipped with the knowledge and technological skills required in a rapidly changing media environment.
His nomination letter particularly acknowledged his investigative work, intellectual depth, editorial leadership and commitment to public accountability.
It stated that throughout his distinguished career, Mojeed had consistently demonstrated professional excellence, courage, integrity, investigative rigour and an unwavering commitment to the public interest.
The organisers also commended his commitment to mentoring younger journalists and promoting contemporary skills and practices that strengthen the quality and credibility of journalism.
For Aminu, his selection was based on his contributions to business journalism and leadership in the Nigerian media industry.
According to Gavel International, his work as a business editor and media executive had helped improve public understanding of economic developments, corporate activities and the relationship between business and national development.
The organisers said his professional contributions had enriched public discourse on economic and corporate affairs while promoting the importance of credible information to enterprise, development and national progress.
The late Oladipo, Publisher of Eagle Online, will be honoured posthumously for his pioneering contributions to the development of online journalism in Nigeria.
He was among the media professionals who promoted digital journalism when online news publishing was still emerging as an important component of the Nigerian media industry.
Oladipo also played a significant role in establishing the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), a professional association committed to promoting ethical standards, credibility, accountability and professionalism among online publishers.
The organisers said his dedication to responsible digital journalism deserved recognition, adding that the posthumous award was intended to demonstrate that outstanding professional accomplishments should continue to inspire future generations.
The five journalists will receive their awards alongside six distinguished legal practitioners and other personalities selected for recognition.
The legal practitioners include former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; and prominent legal practitioner, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN.
Others are Mr. George Etomi, Mr. Kayode Filani and Mr. Iniruo Wills.
Other personalities to be recognised include philanthropist, Dr. Olugbenga Ademola Bankole, and the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Mr. James Bagie Bio.
The organisers explained that the inclusion of the legal practitioners reflected their recognition of individuals whose professional careers had contributed to justice, the development of the legal profession and public service.
The Gavel International/Ernest Ikoli Distinguished Achievement Award is named after Chief Ernest Sesei Ikoli, a pioneering Nigerian journalist, nationalist and statesman who served as the first Managing Director of the Daily Times.
Ikoli is remembered for his contributions to the development of journalism and his active involvement in Nigeria’s nationalist movement.
The organisers said the award was designed to recognise professionals whose careers reflected the values of public service, accountability, integrity and dedication to national development.
The ceremony, scheduled to hold at the OPTS Hall, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nurudeen Olowopopo Road, Central Business District, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos, will bring together journalists, lawyers, media executives and other distinguished personalities.
The organisers said the awards would celebrate professional excellence across different fields, while underscoring the enduring importance of courage, integrity and public service in journalism, law and national development.
