Felicitations

Mr. Lekan Sote

This is to formally express the felicities of the esteemed members of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria over the sterling performance and achievements by journalists under the management of The Punch Newspaper at the just concluded 27^th Diamond Awards for Media Excellence held recently at the prestigious Radison Blue Hotel, Ikeja-Lagos.

During the event, the Editor of Punch, Martin Ayankola who has won the Editor of the Year three times in previous events, once again garnered same award for the fourth consecutive time, Eniola Akinkuotu won The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund on his Child-Friendly Reporting, Eric Dumo was adjudged the best in the Sports Reporting category sponsored by the family of late Simon Idowu, Samson Folarin took away the maiden Lagos Reporting category, Saheed Olugbon got the award for the News Photography, Kunle Falayi, who was once with Punch, carted away the award in Agriculture Reporting and a columnist with Punch, Lekan Sote won the Alade Odunewu-sponsored Informed Commentary category. In addition to the above, Punch Newspaper also won the Best Designed Newspaper.

For journalists under the Punch Newspaper to have clinched eight of the 15 available awards and also won the Newspaper of Year Award for the fourth consecutive time, is an obvious testament to Nigeria and the entire world about the unique quality of journalists in the organization.

While commending all the awardees, I wish to give special attention to Mr. Lekan Sote, the Vice President of Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, who through his ingenuity and cooperation with the President Mr. Ayo Baje has helped to navigate the Guild to its present enviable position. The Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria is the umbrella body of all persons that analyze public issues on television, radio, newspapers, magazines and blogs. Some of the aims and objectives of the Guild are as listed below:

1. To unify and provide a common front for public affairs analysts in Nigeria.

2. To provide legal assistance and counsel to members who may fall victim of government agencies or other individuals or organizations in the performance of their roles as public affairs analysts.

3. To organize lectures, trainings, workshops, symposiums, and seminars for individuals, governments and corporate bodies and issue press releases.

4. To promote learning, knowledge, critical thinking, public speaking and issue based analysis

5. To promote the interests and welfare of members of the guild.

The Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria is poised to deepen democracy in the country as it wishes to liaise with other organizations that share same vision with the Guild.

We the members of Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, indeed rejoice with the entire employees and management of the Punch Newspaper on these milestone achievements at the 27^th Diamond Awards for Media Excellence. We wish you success in other endeavours.

Signed

Victor Anya

General Secretary

Dated Wednesday 19th February, 2019