Augustina Armstrong-Ogbonna, a freelance journalist with Radio
Nigeria, has been awarded the United Nations Foundation Gold Prize for
Development and humanitarian reporting. She won the Gold medal for her reportage on how neglected coastal communities such as Okun Alfa and
Otodo Gbame in Eti-Osa LGA, Sagbo Kodji Island and Makoko in Lagos
State, are bearing the drastic impact of sea rise as well as threats of
displacement.
The award and gold medal was presented to her by the Secretary
General of the United Nations; Mr Ban Ki- Moon on Monday in New York at
the 20th United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Annual Awards.
According to the UNCA; “Augustina braves dangers to report on Nigeria’s
coastal communities ravaged by conflict and degrading environment that
affect development and human lives.”
With almost 10 years of experience as a multimedia and Environmental
Journalist, Tina has focused her reportage on neglected communities
across Nigeria. For example, until her report, Sagbo Kodji never had
power supply despite being located on an island that overlooks high rise
of commercial Lagos Island as well as Apapa sea port.
The report was picked online by a renewable energy company owned by
two young Nigerians, whose company approached the community and provided
solar power panels and battery to some homes and ventures on the
island, thereby lighting up the community for the first time in over a
century of its existence.
Reacting to the prize, Tina said “I am completely humbled by this
recognition from the United Nations. It is a major encouragement for me
to persist with impacting journalism that affects the common man and
development of the environment. I am must obliged for this.”
Until recently, Tina produced and presented a weekly environmental
programme on community development called Community Diary on Radio One
103.5 FM in Lagos. She has also produced content for REUTERS, CNN,
German Information Center GIC and EnviroNews Nigeria
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