Entries for the 8th Edition of the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Awards has begun with the promise to celebrate and reward the winners.

While briefing the media, Corporate Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekenem, said it will reward journalists in three categories – the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Reporter of the Year, Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Photo Journalist of the Year and the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Report of the Year.

He said that the Golden Pen Award was introduced to promote professionalism and objective reportage of events in Nigeria. It is also meant to uphold high standards of ethics in journalism.

Mr. Ekanem noted that like the previous two editions, the theme for this year’s award remains Education, Youth Empowerment, and Talent Development to help draw attention to critical issues of development in these areas.

“In March 2014, we gathered here to announce plans for the 6th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award. That 2014 edition was the beginning of the expanded platform that draws attention to critical development areas by rewarding journalists who excel in reporting in themed areas,” he said.

From Left to Right – Mr. Anthony Akaeze, Assistant Editor, Tell Magazine and 2015 Golden Pen Reporter of the Year; Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc; and Mr. Canice Opara, Copy Editor, Business World Newspaper and Winner, 2014 Golden Pen Report of the Year, at the flag-off/Call for Entries for the 2016 Golden Pen Award in Lagos

The Corporate Affairs Adviser also emphasized that the last two editions had made the credibility of the awards stronger because they have made it more inclusive and ensure an increased media buy-in. He therefore, called on journalists to enter for the award by submitting their entries from June 28th until Friday, August 19th, 2016.

He said that an independent jury will analyze the entries for their originality news value, use of resources, credibility and factuality. “Other areas of interest would include info-graphics, lay out/headline, clarity and social responsibility. After the adjudication, a shortlist of nominees would be announced early in October 2016. The 8th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Awards Ceremony will hold on Friday October 28, 2016 where winners will be announced,” he said.

According to him, winners in the three categories will receive the Golden Pen Award, gift items and the following cash prizes:

The NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year (N1,000,000)
The Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Report of the year (N500,000)
The NB Golden Pen Photojournalist of the Year (500, 000)
First runner up NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year (300, 000)
Second runner up NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year (200, 000)
First runner up NB Photojournalist of the Year (250, 000)
Second runner up NB Photojournalist of the Year (N200, 000).