In order to further encourage excellence in journalism, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk is partnering with Thomson Foundation to take the Promasidor Quill Awards to a new level.
With this partnership, the best overall entry for the 2014 Promasidor Quill awards would have the opportunity of participating in a five -week course in the UK.
Chief Keith Richards, the in-coming Chairman of Promasidor Nigeria, addressing journalists at a press conference to announce the partnership at the company’s corporate headquarters said the essence of the partnership is to have a champion of champions among the winners of the seven categories created by the company go for a training programme in the United Kingdom (UK).
The award was instituted as a way of rewarding excellence in journalism in Nigeria for dedicated news reportage on industry, education, and corporate social responsibility & nutrition issues all year round.
Richards noted that the media is an important organ in the life of the society and it plays a very important role in checking the pulse of different issues in society but most times, the practitioners are undermined.
“Since we sold the first sachet of milk and grew our product brands across our dairy, beverage and food enhancement categories over the years, we have continued to enjoy and benefit from the support of the media and committed journalists who have noticed our commitment and hard work,” he said.
Richards explained that the awards tagged ‘Promasidor Quill Awards’ initially covered five categories among which are the Brand Advocate of the year, Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report of the year, Most Educative Report of the year, Best Report on Nutrition and the Best Photo Story of the year.
He said that winners from the maiden edition had received state-of-the-art tools of trade as well as a 6 – week certificate-awarding course at the School of Media and Communications of the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos in order to further equip them with new knowledge and skills set to do more.
“Following our engagement with stakeholders and our consultants on feedback from the first edition we have increased the number of categories from five to seven in a bid to accommodate more entries. The new categories are Best Report on Children and Future Writers Award for upcoming writers,” he said.
Richards who advised journalists to enter for the awards noted that entries have opened for the 2014 edition and would close by the end of April.He said the organization has also selected five judges for this year’s awards
Also speaking, Mr. Nigel Baker, Chief Executive of Thomson Foundation said they were very proud to work with Promasidor Nigeria on this initiative, adding that it will open new opportunities for journalists in Nigeria.
He said the beneficiary journalist would have the opportunity of participating in a five -week course in the UK which would put him on the cutting edge of the profession.
Baker said the Thomson Foundation started 50 years ago because of the passion the founder, Roy Thomson had for the media, remarking that over the years the foundation has worked in more than 100 countries in the world, training journalists on ethical standards and quality reporting.
The Thomson Foundation has over the years helped some key media organisations achieved media excellence through training, consultancy and expert advice. Some of them include Al Jazeera, British Council, South African Broadcasting Corporation, Indian Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, UN agencies, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Xinhua News Agency among others.
