ECOWAS Media Excellence Awards 2025: Jury Converges in Abuja to Select West African Finest Journalists.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant move to spotlight journalistic excellence across West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially opened the selection process for its highly anticipated Media Excellence Awards 2025, bringing together a distinguished panel of media experts and jurors in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
The four-day jury session, held as part of the ECOWAS @50 Anniversary celebrations, is themed “50 Years of ECOWAS – Honouring the Voices That Tell Our Story.”
It is a reflective nod to the critical role journalists have played and are playing in shaping and narrating the regional bloc’s evolution over the last five decades.
The meeting was declared open by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, who was represented by his Special Advisor on Economic Affairs, Mr. Mambureh Njie. Njie called on the jury to uphold the highest standards of fairness and diligence, underscoring that the awards are not mere decorations but part of ECOWAS’s long-term legacy-building effort.
“This is a moment to reward journalism rooted in truth and integrity,” Njie stated.
The awards, is designed to recognize media professionals who have shown courage, professionalism, and commitment to the ECOWAS regional integration mandate, aim to elevate journalism as a pillar of democratic governance, peace, and development in West Africa.
Chairman of the jury, Mr. Abdoulie Gassama of The Gambia, expressed confidence in the selection process and stressed that entries would be judged on criteria such as impact, integrity, innovation, accuracy, fairness, and overall craftsmanship.
“We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity, creativity, and impactful storytelling,” said Gassama.
In his remarks, Mr. Joel Ahofodji, ECOWAS Director of Information and Communications, emphasized the transparency and impartiality of the selection process, reassuring stakeholders that the awards would reflect only the best the region has to offer.
The jury is composed of seasoned professionals drawn from across the region, including Paul Douakoutche (Benin), Ms. Filomena Silva (Cape Verde), Mr. Bamba Mafoumgbe (Ivory Coast), Dr. Ibrahim Awal (Ghana), Mrs. Yemi Kolapo (Nigeria), and Dr. Adrienne Diop (Senegal), a former spokesperson for the ECOWAS Commission.
As ECOWAS marks 50 years of fostering regional unity and progress, the Media Excellence Awards stand as a bold recognition of the journalists whose pens and microphones have been instrumental in shaping the public discourse and promoting the organization’s ideals.
The award winners will be unveiled and celebrated later this year, but the message from Abuja is already clear: in the pursuit of democracy, peace, and integration, the storytellers matter.
