By Onche Odeh
Three outstanding stories produced in Nigeria have been adjudged the best among a flurry of others that were entered for the 2023 edition of Cleft Awareness Media Awards (CAMA).
Although many entries were received by the organisers of the award sponsored by SmileTrain, the report by Ogom Ezedimbu of African Independent Television (AIT) was judged the best, making her the overall winner of the competition.
Also, Lara Adejoro of the PUNCH Newspaper and Blessing Omeche Ebute of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Makurdi Network centre were decorated first and second runners up respectively at a ceremony held on Thursday, December 14, in Abuja.
The organisers, SmileTrain, in a letter notifying the winners of the outcome of their entries signed by its Senior Programme Manager, West Africa, Victoria Awuzie, said they were being celebrated for demonstrating exceptional passion and commitment in advancing advocacy for people living with cleft lip and palate in Nigeria in line with the vision of SmileTrain.
“You are truly deserving of this award, and I hope that this recognition will sustain your passion to continually push for community awareness ands sensitization among stakeholders, leaders and policy makers to ensure that everyone born and living with cleft lip and palate are given the care that they deserve,” Awuzie stated.
Ezedimbu who spoke on behalf of the winners said it was a rare privilege “to be celebrated for doing your job,” adding that it was an obvious call to do me for people living with cleft lip and palate.
CAMA is annual media competition sponsored by SmileTrain, to raise awareness on Cleft lip and Palate.
The Awards, which have been running for three consecutive years, recognizes media professionals for creating awareness, dispelling myths, and shunning stigma surrounding clefts.
