*Say’s Journalism not bread and butter profession
By Our Correspondent
Northern Bureau Chief of *Daybreak* Newspapers, Nigeria, Mr. Idibia A. Gabriel, has been honored with the 2024 African Media Development Foundation (AMDF) Courage in Journalism Award. The award recognizes his bravery and dedication in the field of journalism.
The prestigious award was presented to Mr. Idibia at the sixth Bagauda Kaltho Memorial Media Lecture, held via Zoom on September 19, 2024. The event’s theme, *”Censorship and State Control: An Analysis of Press Freedom Restrictions in African Countries,”* was discussed by seasoned journalists from across the continent. The lecture, which lasted from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, was moderated by Zhiro Jatau and organized by AMDF Founder, Mr. Iliya Kure.
It is noteworthy that earlier in May 2024, Mr. Idibia was also honored with the “Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award” by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the union’s National Headquarters in Abuja, alongside several governors and colleagues.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Idibia, a multiple award-winning investigative journalist, expressed gratitude and dedicated the award to his late father, Idibia A. Achadu, as well as to journalists in Kaduna and across Nigeria. He emphasized that journalism is not a “bread and butter” profession and urged his colleagues to take the practice more seriously.
He also highlighted the importance of press freedom, stating that a free press is essential for a free society and serves as a pillar of democratic governance. “It shapes public opinion, equips the people with accurate information, and helps keep leaders in check,” he said.
The Bagauda Kaltho Memorial Media Lecture Series, organized by AMDF, honors the legacy of James Bagauda Kaltho, a Nigerian journalist who disappeared in the late 1990s while performing his duties as an investigative journalist. His courage and commitment to press freedom continue to inspire journalists across Africa.
