A News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) Editor, Tayo Ikujuni has been awarded the Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ).
A letter signed by Mr Opeyemi Akorede, the Secretary to the NUJ Press Freedom Awards Selection Committee, said that the award ceremony would be held on May 4, in Abuja.
The letter titled NOMINATION FOR PRESS FREEDOM AWARD reads in part “This is to bring to your notice that you have been nominated for Press Freedom Award 2024.
“The award will be conferred on you at the 2024 Press Freedom Awards Night on 4th May, 2024, at 6 pm in Africa Hall, Barcelona Hotels International, Wuse 2, Abuja.”
The Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award is bestowed upon journalists who faced harassment, physical injury, imprisonment or death in their line of duty.
It is to celebrate the courage and sacrifice of these journalists.
It will be recalled that on Saturday, April 20, 2024, Ikujuni while covering the All Progressives Congress(APC) Governorship Primary in Ondo State, was physically assaulted by the Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye.
The ugly incident occurred at about 11.45 am at Eji-Oba High School, Oba-Ile, the venue of the Ward 9 election in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Yusuf-Ogunleye punched the reporter’s hand, collected his cell phone and threw it away.
He ordered his political thugs to seize all the electronic gadgets belonging to the reporter.
Trouble started at about 11.45 am when the reporter inquired about when the election materials arrived since they had started counting.
Immediately, the commissioner shouted that “who are you? You’re a useless journalist. You’re a stupid journalist. Go away from here.”
The timely intervention of some party chieftains and security personnel prevented political thugs from further attacking Ikujuni.
Congratulations my darling
You deserve the award Mr Tayo Ikujuni, you are a fearless, considerate and professional journalist, more of this to be celebrated in future. Congratulations sir.