Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has bagged the prestigious Nigeria Union of Journalists Corporate Friend of the Media Award 2019 for the company’s support for media freedom and transparency. At an award ceremony, which was held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja on Monday, the umbrella body of journalists in Nigeria said the award was in recognition of Julius Berger’s commitment to openness and growth, which its support for the media symbolizes.
Speaking at the event, the NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo, said the awards and recognition accorded the receipients was part of activities of the Press Freedom Day aimed at recognizing individuals and institutions that have supported Press Freedom in Nigeria.
The Head of Media Relations of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Prince Moses Duku, who received the award on behalf of the company and who dedicated the coveted award to the work of the proactive executive management of the company, expressed delight over the recognition and promised that the firm would continue to promote excellence and quality in the discharge of its work in the country.
Duku said, “The Executive Management wanted to be here to receive this important award to Julius Berger by the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and its executive Council. That is how much our company value and appreciate the excellent relationship that exists between the Nigerian Media and our company. However, due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control, I have been mandated to come here and represent Julius Berger this evening. On behalf of the Board, Executive Management and entire staff of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, I wish to express our profound gratitude to the President and council of the NUJ for sifting through the nominations and finding Julius Berger the worthy recipient of this highly coveted award.
Duku added, “Since incorporation, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has, as a policy, implemented managerial and operational excellence. We remain committed to that work culture, and appreciate the recognition accorded Julius Berger today by the significant Fourth Estate of the Realm, the Press. Our company remains positively loyal to our timeless values of hard work and reliable deliveries. We remain committed to the triumph of the Nigerian dream of development and progress with the work Julius Berger does. We ask that the healthy relationship between the Media and Julius Berger will only get better and even more helpful in the greater years ahead of us. Thank you, Mr. President.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, chaired the award event and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, delivered the lecture at the event.
Other recipients of the NUJ awards include His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed, CON, the Executive Governor–elect of Bauchi state, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, Fnse, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the Daily Times (Nigeria’s first newspaper). Others were the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Agency, Engr. Chidi K. C. Izuwah snr., the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Ms Yewande Sadiku, and the Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Professor Suleiman Bagoro,
Several media practitioners also received awards at the event as Torch Bearers of Press Freedom. These included Moses John Akwashi, Midat Joseph, Chizoba Ogbeche, Olalekan Adetayo, Oga Tom Uhia, Comrade Felix Ofou, Adebola Brookslyn and Samuel Ogundipe.
The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees at the event. While expressing gratitude for the awards, Dr. Baru enjoined the NUJ to assist corporations by sanctioning unverified news reporting and fake news. He emphasised fake and false news have ruined the hard-earned reputation of many decent and hardworking people, including corporate organisations. Dr. Baru pledged the continuing cooperation and support of the recipients of the awards to press freedom in Nigeria.