The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Eze Anaba, and the Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Mr Musikilu Mojeed, are among five distinguished Nigerian journalists selected to receive the Gavel International/Ernest Sesei Ikoli Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of their contributions to journalism, media development, public accountability and the defence of citizens’ rights.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
The awards will be presented during the Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2026, in Lagos.
Other journalists selected for recognition are the Publisher of Port Harcourt-based National Point newspaper, Madam Ibiba Don Pedro; the Managing Director of New Telegraph, Mr Ayodele Aminu; and the late Publisher of Eagle Online, Mr Dotun Oladipo, who will be honoured posthumously.
The Publisher of Gavel International, Mr Mustapha Ogunsakin, said the five journalists were selected for their professional accomplishments, commitment to ethical journalism and contributions to the growth and credibility of the Nigerian media industry.
According to Ogunsakin, Anaba’s nomination was informed by his longstanding commitment to the protection of citizens’ rights and his sustained engagement with civil rights organisations, dating back to his early professional experience as a judicial reporter.
He explained that the NGE President had consistently demonstrated a commitment to public interest journalism, particularly through his advocacy for a society in which the rights of ordinary citizens are protected against violations by government authorities and influential individuals.
Ogunsakin maintained that Anaba’s professional convictions, courage and dedication to the defence of fundamental rights had earned him recognition and respect within the journalism profession.
He added that those qualities contributed to Anaba’s emergence as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, where he continues to occupy a prominent position in the country’s media industry.
Also recognised is the Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed, whose nomination reflects his contributions to investigative journalism, professional integrity and the promotion of ethical standards in news reporting.
The organisers said Mojeed had distinguished himself through responsible journalism and his efforts to develop a new generation of journalists equipped with the knowledge and technological skills required in a rapidly changing media environment.
His nomination letter particularly acknowledged his investigative work, intellectual depth, editorial leadership and commitment to public accountability.
“Throughout your distinguished career, you have consistently demonstrated the qualities that define journalism at its finest—professional excellence, courage, integrity, intellectual depth, investigative rigour and an unwavering commitment to the public interest,” the letter stated.
It further noted that his professional record as a journalist, editor and media leader had earned him widespread respect within the media profession and beyond.
The organisers also commended Mojeed’s commitment to mentoring younger journalists and promoting contemporary skills and practices that strengthen the quality and credibility of journalism.
Similarly, the Managing Director of New Telegraph, Ayodele Aminu, was selected for his contributions to business journalism and his leadership in the Nigerian media industry.
According to the organisers, Aminu’s work as a business editor and media executive has contributed to improving public understanding of economic developments, corporate activities and the relationship between business and national development.
His nomination letter acknowledged his role in strengthening communication and understanding among corporate organisations, policymakers, the business community, the media and the wider society.
The organisers maintained that his professional contributions had enriched public discourse on economic and corporate affairs while promoting greater recognition of the importance of credible information to enterprise, development and national progress.
Aminu’s selection, they explained, reflects the importance of specialised business journalism in providing the public and decision-makers with accurate information on economic policies, corporate governance and commercial developments.
Another recipient, Ibiba Don Pedro, is being honoured for her longstanding contributions to environmental journalism and her advocacy against environmental degradation and injustice in the Niger Delta.
Don Pedro, a renowned environmental journalist, author and media activist, has spent more than two decades documenting the environmental and human consequences of crude oil exploration and production in the oil-producing communities of the region.
Her reporting has highlighted the effects of pollution, environmental damage and disputes over land rights on the livelihoods and natural environment of communities in the Niger Delta.
Through her work with The Guardian newspaper, Don Pedro brought national and international attention to environmental challenges confronting oil-producing communities and the need for greater accountability in the management of natural resources.
The organisers said her dedication to environmental reporting had contributed to public awareness of the difficulties experienced by communities affected by oil exploration and production.
Her journalism career has also attracted several international recognitions.
In 2000, she received the Reuters-IUCN Media Award for English-speaking Africa in recognition of excellence in environmental reporting.
She subsequently won the 2001 Lorenzo Natali Prize for West African journalism and was recognised as CNN African Journalist of the Year in 2003.
Don Pedro was also a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) between 2001 and 2002.
Beyond journalism, she has contributed to public discourse on environmental justice and the Niger Delta through several books, including Oil in the Water: Crude Power and Militancy in the Niger Delta, Out of a Bleak Landscape, Scavengers and Real Avengers of the Niger Delta and Contested Grounds.
She is also the Publisher of National Point newspaper, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The organisers maintained that her work demonstrated the role of journalism in documenting environmental injustice, drawing attention to the experiences of affected communities and encouraging public accountability.
The fifth journalist, the late Dotun Oladipo, Publisher of Eagle Online, will receive the Distinguished Achievement Award posthumously in recognition of his pioneering role in the development of online journalism in Nigeria.
Oladipo was among the media professionals who promoted digital journalism at a time when online news publishing had not yet become a dominant part of the Nigerian media industry.
According to Gavel International, he championed responsible and credible online reporting, encouraged professional standards and supported initiatives aimed at strengthening the digital publishing sector.
The organisers said his work contributed to the establishment of online journalism as an important platform for public information and professional news dissemination.
Oladipo was also among the journalists who established the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), a professional association dedicated to promoting ethical standards, credibility, accountability and professionalism among online publishers.
His contributions to the development of the association and the wider digital media industry were identified as important reasons for his nomination.
Gavel International disclosed that Oladipo had been nominated for the award during his lifetime as one of the five distinguished journalists selected for recognition.
Following his death, the organisation’s Editorial Board deliberated on his nomination and resolved to retain his name on the list of recipients.
The decision, according to the organisers, was intended to recognise his professional achievements and preserve the legacy of his contributions to online publishing.
The organisation maintained that his dedication to responsible digital journalism deserved recognition notwithstanding his passing.
It explained that the posthumous award was also intended to demonstrate that outstanding professional accomplishments should continue to inspire future generations even after the death of their achievers.
The five journalists will receive their awards alongside six distinguished legal practitioners and other personalities selected for recognition at the same ceremony.
The legal practitioners include former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; and prominent legal practitioner Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN.
Others are Mr George Etomi, Mr Kayode Filani and Mr Iniruo Wills.
The inclusion of the legal practitioners reflects the organisation’s recognition of individuals whose professional careers have contributed to justice, the development of the legal profession and public service.
Other personalities selected for recognition include philanthropist Dr Olugbenga Ademola Bankole and the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Mr James Bagie Bio.
According to Gavel International, the award celebrates individuals whose careers exemplify professional excellence, courage, integrity and commitment to the public interest.
The award is named in honour of Chief Ernest Sesei Ikoli, a pioneering Nigerian journalist, nationalist and statesman who served as the first Managing Director of the Daily Times.
Ikoli is remembered for his contributions to the development of journalism and his involvement in Nigeria’s nationalist movement.
By naming the award after him, the organisers seek to recognise professionals whose work reflects the values of public service, accountability and dedication to national development.
The ceremony will bring together journalists, lawyers, media executives and other professionals in recognition of individuals who have made contributions to their respective fields.
For the five journalists, the awards acknowledge different areas of professional accomplishment, including judicial and human rights reporting, investigative journalism, business reporting, environmental advocacy and digital media development.
The organisers maintained that their professional achievements demonstrated the importance of journalism in promoting informed public debate, defending citizens’ rights, strengthening accountability and contributing to national progress.
The Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards ceremony will take place at the OPTS Hall, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nurudeen Olowopopo Road, Central Business District, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
The event will provide an opportunity to celebrate the recipients and highlight the enduring importance of professional integrity, courage and public service in journalism, law and other sectors.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
