By Asuquo Cletus
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has hosted the 5th edition of the Beatrice Bassey Ita Best Investigative Journalist Award honouring reporters for excellence and courage in investigative journalism.
The award, which made a return after 14 years, was instituted in the seventies by a prolific veteran journalist, late Chief Beatrice Bassey Ita, a pioneer journalist as well as an advocate of truth aimed at rewarding diligence, professionalism, and ethical bravery in the media profession.
Her amiable daughter, Distinguished Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, popularly known as Mama Bakassi for her relentless efforts in promoting the peace and progress of the people of Bakassi, has sustained the award since the demise of her mother.
Speaking on Saturday at the Hogis Royale Hotel in Calabar, venue of the ceremony, the Chairman of the Cross River NUJ, Archibong Bassey, said the return of the award was a fulfillment of a promise made to her by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, daughter of the late Beatrice Ita.
“In June 2024, when I assumed office, Senator Ita-Giwa told me, ‘I want us to bring back the Beatrice Bassey Ita Best Investigative Journalist’s Award,’ and today we are here,” Bassey recalled.
She described the award as a source of inspiration for journalists, adding: “Reminiscing on some of the chilling experiences shared by colleagues during investigative work, I can only be grateful to God for preserving our lives. Some of us have come face to face with death all for the passion of journalism, and it gives me great joy that some of these efforts are rewarded tonight.”
Bassey, who is the first female chairman of the council, commended Senator Ita-Giwa for sustaining the award despite economic challenges. She also lauded Governor Bassey Otu for supporting journalism in the state.
“Recently, Cross River State was ranked as the number one safest state for journalists to practice by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, and there is no doubt about that. Thank you, sir, for being supportive, and I will not stop thanking you for the executive 18-seater bus you provided for us,” she said.
On his part, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya praised the courage of investigative journalists, describing them as defenders of democracy.
“From censorship and harassment to detention and, in extreme cases, the loss of life, our journalists face daunting obstacles in the course of their duty. Yet in the face of these adversities, they have shown resilience and commitment to the values of the profession,”Yahaya said.
He stressed that investigative journalism remained crucial to Nigeria’s democracy. “Their work speaks truth to power, exposes wrongdoing, and drives societal progress. Investigative journalism is the backbone of democracy, promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.”
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajia Aisha Ibrahim, also urged reporters, especially women, to remain fearless.
“In a world of misinformation and sensationalism, investigative journalists must dig deeper, question the status quo, and expose the truth. We must mentor and encourage the next generation of journalists to pursue impactful stories,” she said.
Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, while sustaining her mother’s legacy through the award, explained that the initiative was more than a memorial.
“Thank God today that her daughter, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has deemed it expedient to keep these memories alive by sustaining this award, not only as memorabilia but also as a way of encouraging young professionals to follow the path of hard work, excellence and success,” she said.
On her part, The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, who chaired the occasion, praised the NUJ for sustaining the Beatrice Bassey Ita Investigative Journalism Award and called on journalists to uphold integrity in their work.
She said: “Investigative journalism is not just about exposing wrongdoings, it is about shaping society and giving voice to the voiceless. I encourage our journalists to remain fearless, ethical, and committed to the truth, because the future of our democracy depends on a free and vibrant press.”
The event, which was attended by journalists, media executives, and other senior Government officials.
High point of the ceremony was the presentation of the award winners by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Comrade Anietie Akpan.
He declared, Miss Tina Agosi Todo of The Guardian Newspaper as the winner of the 2025 5th Edition of the Beatrice Bassey Ita Best investigative Journalist Award with winning article; “ How Multiple Haulage Taxes Hike Cost of Food Production in Cross River “. She picked the star price of N1 million and a laptop.
The second prize winner who went home with N700,000 and a Samsung mobile phone is Mr. Eyo Charles of The Daily Trust Newspaper with the article “Ifumkpa: Cross River Community in Squalor Despite Sitting on Gold” while Mr. Richard Ndoma of Leadership Newspaper won the third position with the article captioned, “Anguish, Grief as Calabar Market Inferno Victims Recount Ordeal”. He went home with N500,000 and a Samsung mobile phone.
Consolation prizes of N200,000 and a Samsung mobile phone we were presented to each of the four runner ups.
Akpan who incidentally was the winner of the 4th edition, thanked Senator Ita-Giwa for sustaining the award, charged journalists “to up the ante as they enter for future competitions in the state, national and international levels for the pen is mightier than the sword, a nickname given to late Beatrice Bassey Ita by our late veteran colleague, Chief Ernest Etim Bassey for her prolific, fearless and investigative journalism career or skills that even caused the military regime of the seventies to often arrest and bundle her into a military truck.
