Nigeria Health Watch is excited to announce the third edition of the #PreventEpidemicsNaija Journalism Awards ceremony to celebrate evidence-based and accurate reportage of funding for Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) in Nigeria. Nominations closed on Monday, January 2, 2023, and winners will be announced at the award ceremony on January 27, 2023.
Since 2018, Nigeria Health Watch has been implementing the #PreventEpidemicsNaija project, advocating for sustained funding for EPR at National and sub-national levels. The project seeks to increase public and policymaker awareness of and demand for epidemic preparedness, as well as improve understanding and support among policymakers for dedicated funding for epidemic preparedness. One of the campaign strategies is direct engagement with the media through journalism masterclasses and fellowships, where journalists are trained and supported to write impactful stories on the need to fund EPR activities in Nigeria.
Since 2021, Nigeria Health Watch has rewarded journalists for exemplary reporting on EPR through the #PreventEpidemcsNaija Journalism Awards (PEJA). The awards ceremony also brings together key stakeholders in the Nigerian health security space, including Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies responsible for implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security, which highlights EPR activities designed to bridge the health security gaps in the country. At the last edition of the awards, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, highlighted the importance of the awards, saying "We will get through this pandemic and other infectious disease Epidemics, but we do not have to wait until the next one before initiating a stronger partnership with the media to strengthen health security in Nigeria".
The award's first and second editions recognized and honoured journalists for the crucial role they played in spreading awareness of the significance of epidemic preparedness and response as well as current information about COVID-19, Nigeria's response to the pandemic, and other infectious disease outbreaks. Last year's winners were from notable Nigerian newsrooms and media organisations, including Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Nigeria Info FM.
This year's awards ceremony, scheduled for 5pm Friday, 27th January 2023, will be hybrid, and participants can register here to join from anywhere in the world. Physical attendance is strictly by invitation. Themed "Celebrating Media Excellence for Epidemic Preparedness and Response," it seeks to honour and recognize journalists for their great reporting that promotes funding for epidemic preparedness, enabling an efficient response to infectious disease outbreaks.
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As aptly put by Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, "Many countries are threatened by pathogens spreading around the world, as we saw with the #COVID19 pandemic. We need to ensure that our health security structure to respond to current and future health emergencies is strengthened".
PEJA is conducted with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.
About Nigeria Health Watch
Nigeria Health Watch uses informed advocacy and communication to influence health policy and seek better health and access to healthcare in Nigeria. We seek to amplify some of the great work happening in the health sector, challenge the bad, and create a space for positive ideas and action. Through its various platforms, Nigeria Health Watch is a trusted source that provides informed commentary and in-depth analysis of health issues in Nigeria, always in good conscience. Learn more at www.nigeriahealthwatch.com
For more information and questions about the Journalism award please contact:
Contact person Nigeria Health Watch: Ibukun Oguntola
Phone number: +234 9049153733
