Veteran journalists Jimoh, Babarinsa, Lakemfa honoured at 34th Diamond Media Awards

LAGOS – The prestigious Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) will hold its 34th ceremony this Tuesday in Lagos, celebrating the best in Nigerian journalism and conferring top honours on three industry veterans.

The event will see 20 prizes awarded across categories of reporting, commentary, and media aesthetics, upholding DAME’s core mission of rewarding professionalism, ethical responsibility, and excellence in the field.

Beyond the competitive categories, the trustees will induct three distinguished journalists as Honorary Fellows for their profound impact on the profession. The 2025 honourees are: Najeem Jimoh, former Editor of The Punch, celebrated for his editorial depth, calm leadership, and dedication to mentoring young journalists.

He is remembered for instilling a legacy of integrity and discipline in the newsroom.

Also, Dare Babarinsa, co-founder and former Executive Editor of TELL Magazine, is recognised as a leading chronicler of Nigeria’s political history.

Across a career with titles like Drum, Concord, and Newswatch, his bold reporting and insightful analysis have made him a pivotal figure.

His book, ‘House of War’, is a key text on contemporary Nigerian history.

Similarly, Owei Lakemfa, a renowned columnist, labour advocate, and former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), is honoured for his principled voice in public affairs and his lifelong commitment to workers’ rights, human rights, and democratic governance.

Established in 1992, the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence have set the benchmark for quality in Nigerian media.

The DAME Trust Fund further supports the industry’s future through training programmes designed to equip the next generation of journalists.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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