7 Nigerian Journalists Shortlisted For Sanlam Group’s 2023-2024 Financial Journalism Awards

Winners of 2022 Sanlam Financial Journalism Awards. Photo Credit: African Expression 

Seven Nigerian Journalists have been shortlisted for the Sanlam Group’s 2023-2024 Financial Journalism Awards.

They are Nike Popoola – formerly with the Punch Newspaper (Now Editor, Daily Economy); Daniel Okujwa – Foundation for Investigative Journalism; Kingsley Jeremiah – The Guardian Newspaper;  Odimegwu Onwumere – The Nigerian Voice (Online); Caleb Ojewale – BusinessDay Newspaper; Justice Nwafor – Nigerian Tribune Newspaper and Destiny Onyemihia – Voice of Nigeria Radio.

This was contained in a statement jointly issued by Sanlam and Santam, the joint sponsors of the Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism, as they announced the shortlisted entries for the 2023 awards today.

According to the statement made available to this medium, a total of 170 entries from 13 countries on the African continent were received for the 2023 competition, the highest number yet in the competition’s 49-year history.

The statement quoted Nixon Kariithi, chair of the independent judging panel, saying “The quality of entries remains high. It has been most encouraging to see both the high number of entries as well as the complex and topical stories spotlighted by financial journalists across the African continent.”

The 2023 Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year and category winners will be announced at a gala event in Johannesburg on 25 July 2024.

 The shortlisted journalists are:

 Nixon Kariithi led the review of submissions and was joined on the judging panel by:

· Angela Agoawike, media practitioner (Nigeria)

· Emily May Brown, media studies academic (Namibia)

· Freddie Rayborn Bulley, financial journalism trainer (Ghana)

· Ylva Rodny Gumede, media studies and international relations scholar (South Africa)

·Tom Indimuli, communications consultant (Kenya)

·Ulrich Joubert, independent economist (South Africa)

· Aggie Asiimwe Konde, chartered marketer, CIM Fellow and ESG advisor (Uganda)

· Charles Naudé, retired editor (South Africa)

· Musa Zondi, communications consultant/freelance business writer (South Africa)

 Established in 1974, the awards recognise outstanding financial journalists in print, online, radio and television media who are based in Africa, working in an African news organisation and publishing, or broadcasting their work on the continent. The work of the finalists represents the best financial journalism in Africa, reporting on the continent’s challenges and progress in business, economic development and ESG: Business and Environment and ESG: Business and Society. The awards carry a total cash prize of over R700,000.

 About Sanlam

The Sanlam group is a leading pan-African financial services group listed on the JSE, Namibian Stock Exchange and A2X Markets Limited. The group provides comprehensive and bespoke financial solutions to institutional clients and consumers across all market segments, including life and general insurance, health, financial planning, retirement, investments, wealth management and credit.

Established in 1918 as a life insurance company, the Sanlam group has evolved into the largest non-banking financial services group in Africa through its diversification strategy achieved through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Headquartered in South Africa, the Sanlam group operates in 31 countries including eight of the top ten largest economies in Africa.

For more information on Sanlam, visit www.sanlam.com

About Santam

Santam is South Africa’s leading general insurer with a market share in excess of 22%. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the Santam group provides a diversified range of general insurance products and services in Southern Africa and internationally through a network of over 3 300 intermediaries and direct channels.

The group’s more than 1 million policyholders range from individuals to commercial and specialist business owners and institutions, including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. The group employs over 6 000 employees and was certified as a Top Employer by the Top Employer Institute for the seventh consecutive year in 2023.

Santam’s commitment to its policyholders and clients is captured in the brand promise, Insurance good and proper, which emphasises responsible and ethical insurance.

 For more information on Santam, visit www.santam.co.za