The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) is honored to extend its sponsorship for The PIND Prize for Niger Delta Development Reporting at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME). This marks the second occasion of PIND’s support for this distinguished prize.

Objective of The PIND Prize:
The PIND Prize seeks to recognize solution journalism reports addressing crucial issues within the Niger Delta, aligning with PIND’s core focus areas, which include Reducing Poverty, Powering Coastal Communities, Nurturing Youth Employment, Fostering Stability, Empowering Local Organizations, Influencing Governments Policies, Programs & Practices, and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).

Selection Process:
Following a rigorous judging process, a deserving winner and two runners-up have emerged. The esteemed recipients will be officially acknowledged and presented with their prizes at the upcoming DAME awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

PIND Media Solution Journalism Innovative Grant:
Originating in 2019, the PIND Media Solution Journalism Innovative Grant serves as a conduit to share PIND’s successful development models, approaches, and lessons from its experiences and partnerships in the Niger Delta region. The primary goal is to spotlight innovations that advance pro-poor development, advocacy, and awareness of significant issues limiting economic development and peacebuilding in the region. Notably, in 2022, PIND directed this grant toward sponsoring a media award in development journalism as part of the DAME platform.

DAME: A Pillar of Media Excellence:
DAME, an annual media awards scheme established in 1992, operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to rewarding outstanding performance in the mass media. With an impressive 30 editions, DAME stands as the most consistent media award in Africa, having inducted over 560 names into its Hall of Fame in print journalism, broadcasting, and advertising.

PIND’s Vision for Impactful Journalism:
Through the media grants, PIND envisions journalists reporting on the Niger Delta transcending routine coverage. The aim is to empower various stakeholders with transformative information that can positively impact lives, especially those within marginalized populations. PIND anticipates that the quality and quantity of media coverage will promote understanding, encourage practice and behavior change, drive recognition, and lead to the adoption of PIND’s innovative development models.

Conclusion:
PIND remains committed to fostering excellence in journalism that goes beyond the ordinary, creating a ripple effect of positive change in the Niger Delta. The collaboration with DAME stands as a testament to the shared vision of celebrating excellence, talent, and enterprise within the press, with the ultimate goal of driving positive societal transformation.