The Guardian's South-South Bureau Chief, Ann Godwin, has been honoured with two prestigious media awards for her investigative work that triggered crucial government intervention at a major teaching hospital. The seasoned journalist received the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) for Female Reporter of the Year and the Distinguished Media Organisation Merit Award (DMOMA) for Media Personality of the Year on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Exposing Systemic Failure at UPTH
The awards specifically recognised Godwin's impactful investigative reporting, which uncovered deep-seated rot, fraud, and negligence within the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Her hard-hitting report drew the immediate attention of the Federal Government, leading to swift action.
Within just two weeks of the story's publication, the government intervened decisively. The intervention led to the completion of four oxygen manifold plants that had been abandoned for years. Key recommendations from Godwin's investigation were adopted, and the facilities were equipped with proper piping systems.
This critical upgrade now ensures direct oxygen delivery from the plants to over 100 hospital beds. Furthermore, a new consumption-based payment system was introduced, effectively closing loopholes that previously allowed for oxygen theft and related abuses.
A Career Built on Data and Impact
Ann Godwin is a distinguished investigative journalist and an alumnus of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She is also a fellow of several renowned journalism institutions, including:
- The South African Data Hub community (Orodata Science)
- The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Report Women Programme
- The Dataphyte Climate Lab
She is widely recognised for her data-driven reporting that exposes corruption, restores accountability in public institutions, and prompts tangible government action. Beyond high-level investigations, her community-based reporting has amplified underreported issues in the Niger Delta, empowered marginalised groups like women and farmers, and supported litigation efforts that have resulted in landmark court judgments for affected communities.
Awards Celebrate Integrity and Measurable Change
According to the DMOMA Board of Trustees, Godwin's award recognises her "professionalism, integrity, depth and a body of work that inspires excellence and drives positive changes in society." The ceremony, held in Port Harcourt, also honoured other notable figures.
Other award recipients included the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who won Super Minister of the Year, and the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, named Most Impactful Health Advocate. Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo was also recognised for her national action and advocacy.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the DMOMA Board of Trustees, Dr. Ezebunwo Nyeche, stated that the awards celebrate humanitarian service, leadership, excellence, and measurable impact. He emphasised that the DMOMA award is a cultural artefact symbolising achievement and value, not a conventional plaque.
A board member and former Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, underscored the media's watchdog role. She commended DMOMA for recognising merit without financial inducement, describing the process as exceptional in a landscape where many awards are paid for. She urged journalists to maintain independence despite challenges like resource constraints and inducements.
In her response, Godwin expressed gratitude and humility, attributing her success to the support of her editors and The Guardian's management. She described the awards as a call to greater responsibility. "With these recognitions, I am more determined to deepen my focus on reporting that drives impact and positive change," she stated.
These twin honours came just four days after Godwin received a commendation prize on behalf of The Guardian's South-South Bureau at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Reporting awards, further cementing her status as one of Nigeria's most impactful journalists.
