It was a night of reward for Nigerian journalists who have distinguished themselves especially in agriculture reporting, at the 9th edition of the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award, an annual event organized by Nigerian Breweries Plc, NB Plc. The 2017 edition was held on Friday night at the Eko Hotel Lagos, and it was entitled:”Agriculture, Local Sourcing and Industrial Development”. In his welcome address, Johan Doyer,managing director and chief executive officer of Nigerian Breweries, said the award which was launched in 2009, was to promote the practice of Journalism in Nigeria. “It is our hope and expectations that as part of their responsibilities, the media will draw attention of all to the key sectors of the economy. It is important to acknowledge the role of the media in national development. Together we are all partners for growth.“, he said. Doyer also commended the Panel of Judges, “who are made up of distinguished professionals who rigorously analyzed all the entries for originality, credibility among other standards.”
Yemi Ogunbiyi, chairman, Panel of Judges, said the entries for this year’s award were an improvement over the past years. He commended the Nigerian media for its unrelenting efforts to set agenda for the good of the Nigerian people. He also applauded the Nigerian Breweries for sustaining the award over the years.
Isioma Madike of the The New Telegraph won the Nigerian Breweries Reporter of the Year cash prize of N2 million for his investigative piece, “Shongan Farm: The dream of Zimbabwean White Farmers.” Caleb Ojewale of the Business Day, won the 2nd runners up for the same category while Arukaino Umukoro of the Punch Newspaper emerged the 1st runners up with a N1 million prize. 
Mojeed Alabi of the New Telegraph received N1 million, having emerged for the best Nigerian Breweries report.
In the Photo journalist category,Olatunji Obasa of the Punch Newspaper, came first and he was rewarded with N1 million, Jubril Sulaimon of the New Telegraph, the first runner up, got N750,000,and Toluwani Eniola, of the Punch Newspaper won the second runner up and went home with N500,000.
Idiat Adebule, deputy governor of Lagos State, who was represented by Yetunde Odejaye, said the award would promote objective news reporting and project Nigerian media as patriotic institutions. “The theme of the award is apt and timely, the media has a role to play in directing the attention of stakeholders to the role that agriculture brings towards the nation’s economic recovery, food security, employment opportunities and poverty reduction,” she said. Adebule added that in diversifying the economy, agriculture holds the four aces: “It is the way forward, it has the potential to grow our economy and contribute significantly to the gross domestic products,” she said.
In addition to the cash prizes, winners in all categories also got an iPad and a plaque each.
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