Ogun poly to honour PUNCH journalists, others for NMMA, DAME wins

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The management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, has announced plans to honour its alumni, including journalists from PUNCH Newspaper, who distinguished themselves at the 2025 Nigerian Media Merit Awards, and the 2025 Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

The institution said the honourees excelled at the just concluded 2025 NMMA and DAME, noting that their achievements further strengthened the Polytechnic’s standing in journalism and media training.

The Rector of the 46-year-old institution, Dr Babatunde Jolaoso, was formally briefed on the award successes by the Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Wasiu Tejuoso.

According to the Polytechnic in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the award-winning journalists “have once again projected Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta as a leading institution in the training of media and communication professionals, thereby reinforcing its reputation for producing industry-ready graduates of national relevance.”

Among those to be honoured is Olasunkanmi Akinlotan of The PUNCH, who emerged Aviation Industry Reporter of the Year at the NMMA 2025.

The institution said his recognition followed “incisive reporting and in-depth analysis of Nigeria’s aviation sector,” which it noted has continued to set benchmarks for specialised journalism.

Also to be honoured is Dare Olawin, also of The PUNCH, who won the Chevron Nigeria Prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year at the NMMA 2025.

MAPOLY said his work stood out for “consistency and depth in energy-sector reporting,” adding that his reports “have contributed significantly to public understanding of critical oil and gas issues in Nigeria.”

Johnson Idowu of The PUNCH newspaper was similarly recognised at the 34th Diamond Awards for Media Excellence 2025, where he won the Lagos State Government Prize for Reporting Lagos State. The Polytechnic said the award acknowledged his “impactful coverage of governance and development issues in the state.”

Management also commended Sodiq Ojuroungbe, a former PUNCH Health Reporter now a Senior Investigative Journalist with BusinessDay, whose performance in 2025 earned him multiple honours.

He “emerged DAME Health Reporter of the Year, won the Nigeria Media Merit Award for Newspaper Reporter of the Year, and finished as Runner-up at the CJID Health Reporter of the Year Awards,” a feat MAPOLY said underscored “excellence in investigative and public-interest journalism.”

From the Nigerian Tribune, Ifedayo Ogunyemi was honoured with the Buba Marwa Prize for Defence Reporter of the Year at the NMMA 2025.

Commending the awardees, the Rector described their collective achievements as “a source of immense pride to the Polytechnic” and specifically praised the Department of Mass Communication for “once again, producing graduates whose professional excellence has brought honour and positive visibility to the institution.”

He reaffirmed Management’s commitment to supporting academic departments in the training of competent professionals and urged current students “to draw inspiration from these distinguished alumni who continue to fly the flag of their alma mater with honour and distinction.”

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had reported that The PUNCH consolidated its leadership position at the 2025 Nigerian Media Merit Awards, winning the Babatunde Jose Prize for Newspaper of the Year and the Dele Giwa Prize for Editor of the Year.

The Dele Giwa Prize for Editor of the Year was won by PUNCH Editor, Oyetunji Abioye, who emerged ahead of editors from The Nation and The Guardian newspapers.

The newspaper also recorded victories in several categories, including the FIRS–Tax Reporter of the Year (Print), Conoil Prize for Energy Correspondent of the Year, Maritime Reporter of the Year, Money Market Reporter of the Year, Telecommunications Reporter of the Year, Real Estate and Construction Reporter of the Year, and Newspaper Features Reporter of the Year.

In addition, PUNCH columnists also featured prominently, with Abimbola Adelakun winning the Alade Odunewu Prize for Columnist of the Year for her piece, “Obasanjo and Tinubu: Two old men naked-ing each other.”

Across all categories, The PUNCH recorded 42 nominations and won 20 awards, the highest number recorded at the 2025 ceremony, which was attended by industry leaders, journalism veterans, top government officials and members of the public.

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