The PUNCH Healthwise Editor, Angela Onwuzoo, has won the Lagos State Best Health Reporting award (print category).
Also, a PUNCH correspondent, Babatunde Titilola, emerged as the winner of the Forced Labour Special Prize Award at the 10th edition of the Global Media Competition on Labour Migration, organised by the International Labour Organisation.
Onwuzoo was recognised on Friday at the Y2024 Universal Health Coverage Day Stakeholders Appreciation Awards organised by the Lagos State Health Management Agency. The programme was supported by Safe Care and PharmAccess.
Onwuzoo beat Sunday Aikuola and Chioma Obinna of Guardian and Vanguard Newspapers, respectively, to emerge the winner of the print category of the award.
The organiser explained that the PUNCH Healthwise editor was adjudged the best in the category for promoting “Health awareness and community well-being”.
“This award is in recognition of exceptional skill, integrity, and dedication in reporting, writing, and publishing stories that inspire, inform, and impact society, with a special emphasis on advocating for and highlighting the ILERA EKO initiative, promoting health awareness and community well-being,” the organiser said.
Presenting the award to Onwuzoo, LASHMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the award was to celebrate the dedication and contributions of the PUNCH Healthwise editor’s critical role in advancing UHC.
“One thing I would say about her (Angela Onwuzoo) is that she is very passionate about her work and she would tell you as it is. So, it is not about what she writes in the paper. She has my number and she would call me if there is an issue with vulnerable patients, someone who needs support, or things going on in the hospital. She lives and breathes what she does and we truly appreciate her,” Zamba said.
For Titilola, the ILO announced on Thursday that it received more than 430 entries from 92 countries, with only five entries emerging as winners in its two categories: four winners in the professional category and one in the student category.
Titilola is a features reporter with the Weekend Titles of PUNCH Newspapers, Lagos, and focuses on underreported stories with a focus on marginalised and stereotyped groups in Nigeria.
Titilola, who won the Forced Labour Special Prize Award under the Professional Category with his feature story titled, “Harrowing tales of survivors trapped in the web of trafficking” (punchng.com/harrowing-tales-of-survivors-trapped-in-the-web-of-trafficking), was the only Nigerian on the list.
His piece documented the haunting narratives of Nigerians caught in the web of child trafficking and how innocent lives are lured into a world of sexual exploitation and suffering under the guise of promising opportunities abroad.
The ILO noted that the Forced Labour Award was a special prize dedicated to reporting on forced labour and trafficking in persons and to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Protocol to the Convention 29 on Forced Labour.
According to the organisation, the Global Media Competition on Labour Migration aims to promote quality reporting on labour migration issues, including forced labour.
Responding to the award, Titilola said the award highlighted the importance of spotlighting stories that can lead to national and international discussions.
“It is an honour to receive this award from the ILO. I have always had an interest in documenting underreported stories of stereotyped demographics in Nigeria.
“This motivates me to continue writing about those whose stories often go unheard, and I hope they will be impactful in improving the system,” he added.