The Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has extended hearty congratulations to veteran reporter Ann Godwin for a remarkable professional feat. Godwin, who heads the South-South Bureau of The Guardian Newspaper Limited, secured two prestigious national media honours on the same day.
A Day of Double Honour for a Veteran Reporter
On 16 December 2025, Ann Godwin was announced as the winner of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) Female Reporter of the Year. Simultaneously, she received the Distinguished Media Organisation Merit Award (DMOMA) Media Personality of the Year. These accolades recognise her unwavering professionalism, integrity, and the profound impact of her investigative work.
Godwin is a highly decorated investigative journalist and an alumnus of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She holds fellowships with several prestigious institutions, including:
- The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under its Report Women Programme.
- The South African Data Hub (Orodata Science).
- The Dataphyte Climate Lab.
A Career Built on Courage and Impact
Renowned for her data-driven and courageous reporting, Ann Godwin's work has consistently exposed corruption and pushed for greater accountability within public institutions. Her investigations have directly influenced government policy and action. Her excellence has been recognised with numerous national and international grants, and she has collaborated with leading global media organisations.
Her trophy cabinet includes significant past wins. In 2022, she was the first-place winner of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Award under the ReportWomen Leadership Project. She has also been honoured with awards from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Advancing Women in Business Award for her societal contributions.
NAWOJ's Charge to Media and Government
In a statement jointly signed by the state Chairperson, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, and the Secretary, Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie, NAWOJ Rivers stated that Godwin's landmark achievement serves as a powerful inspiration to journalists across Nigeria. The association used the occasion to charge all media practitioners to continue discharging their duties with courage, depth, and skill, while adhering to ethical standards that promote justice and positive societal impact.
Furthermore, NAWOJ called on government at all levels and media organisations to intentionally create and sustain enabling environments for journalists. The association emphasised the need for adequate safety, fair remuneration, access to resources, and respect for press freedom. It argued that a protected, empowered, and independent media is indispensable for democratic governance, national development, and social progress.
