DAME names 17 judges for 27th edition

Trustees of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence have announced a panel of seventeen judges to screen entries for the 27th edition of the awards. They include seven women and ten men, drawn from the rank of veteran journalists, academics, and other respected professions.

The academics are: Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie (dean of management sciences, Caleb University, Imota, Dr. Bisi Olawunmi, senior lecturer at Adeleke University, Ede and Dr. Lola Akande, lecturer in English at the University of Lagos.

Apart from Akande, the other women are Ms. Bunmi Sofola, veteran columnist; Mrs. Wale Sokunbi, columnist and editorial page editor of the Sun newspapers; Mrs. Tinuola Odugbemi, executive director, Headhigh International, Mrs. Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu, senior manager with Nestle, Ms. Victoria Ibanga, secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and Efiom Asuquo , chartered insurer.

Two advertising practitioners, Messrs. Emiko Aruofor, CEO of Pulsar Ltd and Joseph Afolabi, CEO, Extrabold Consult, are also members.

Other judges are: Mr. Feyi Smith, executive director, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN); Mr. Mudathir Ganiyu, a former editor of Nigerian Tribune; Mr. Jossey Ogbuanoh, a design specialist; Messrs. Victor Agunbiade, CEO, Volag Studios, a photography shop; Kehinde Taiwo, retired director from Radio Nigeria and Toyin Gbadebo, retired broadcaster from Ogun Broadcasting Corporation.