The West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA 2020) climaxed with an awards ceremony which honoured seven (7) journalists for the impactful reporting in the sub region and recognized thirteen others who made on the shortlist.

The seven were chosen by a five-member jury out of 740 entries received. Among the winners was the coveted West Africa Journalist of the year award which went to freelance journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni. He also won the Anti-corruption category.

Below are the winning stories:

Grounded Wheels

 Grounded Wheels is an exposé on a hundred vehicles imported with public funds to help in critical areas of public service, left to rot for about 20 years due to flawed public procurement processes and incredible bureaucracy. It The  story which is written by Manasseh Azure Awuni won the  Anti- Corruption Reporting Category as well as the West Africa Journalist of the year.

Bribery for Sale

The story which won the Investigative Reporting Category was done by Nigerian journalist ‘Fisayo Soyombo. Titled Bribery for Sale, the journalist spent two weeks in detention — five days in a Police cell and eight as an inmate in Ikoyi Prison, to track corruption in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, beginning from the moment of arrest by the Police to the point of release from prison. 

The Sinking Houses of Adeniji Adele

The story,  Sinking houses of Adeniji Adele by Olatunji Ololade won the Environmental Reporting Category.  It highlights how climate change, rising sea levels, and poor urban planning have caused houses in Adeniji Adele, on Lagos Island to become submerged. The special report details the travails of the residents of the area who have been abandoned to the fierce elements of climate change in the wake of government lethargy at addressing the problem.

Médicaments illicites: du poison en vente libre au Sénégal

Moussa Ngom from Senegal won  with this story in the Health Reporting Category. Médicaments illicites: du poison en vente libre au Sénégal is about seizures of fake drugs in Senegal and how it is just a small fraction of a larger phenomenon that has been going on in the country for several years. The illicit drug market has laid its foundations thanks to the passivity of the authorities concerned and the influence of the traffickers’ lobby.

Sad Tales of Nigerians Who Lost Phone and Bank Savings to Hackers 

The story by Nigerian journalist Innocent Duru titled Sad tales of Nigerians who lost phones and bank savings to hackers won the category of ICT Reporting. The story highlights the ugly side of electronic banking where hoodlums steal the phones of victims and hack into their bank accounts to steal their hard-earned money.

Thugs Rule in Rivers Markets, Force Multiple Illegal Taxes on Petty Traders, as Govt Feigns Ignorance

Kelechukwu Iruoma’s story titled Thugs rule in Rivers markets, force multiple illegal taxes on petty traders, as govt feigns ignorance won the Business and SME Reporting Category. The story is about how women who engage in petty trading in various markets to survive are forced by the youths in Rivers State communities in southern Nigeria to pay multiple illegal taxes. 

Case Congestion in Lagos Courts Hinder Access to Justice

Human Rights Reporting category was won by Funke Busari with the story titled Case congestion in Lagos courts hinder access to justice. The story investigates how ordinary Nigerians seeking justice for infractions against them don’t have a pleasant experience to share about the dispensation of justice in Lagos State.