Nigeria’s first and only 24-hour pan-African news channel, Television Continental (TVC) has emerged the Station of the Year at the recently held sixth edition of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards in Abuja. TVC was also chosen as Most Watched TV Channel of the Year. The station continued its rout of the awards by winning the TV Channel with the Best News Coverage in Nigeria and Africa. The Viewers’ Choice for Best TV Community Access Programme, went to “On The Street.”
The station also excelled in other categories with TVC News Anchor Azeezat Olaoluwa, emerging as Best Female Anchor, and Dapo Aruwajoye as Nigeria’s Broadcaster of the Year. Olayemi Ogunwole, popularly known as “Honeypot,” won the Outstanding Female TV Presenter (Entertainment/Talk Show).
Godwin Nwachukwu was chosen as Cameraman of the Year, while Oladimeji Solomon is the Best Visual Editor.
Two other arms of the Continental Broadcasting Service family also won laurels at the Awards ceremony. Continental Satellite (CONSAT) won as Best Pay Satellite/Digital TV Channel Provider.
Radio Continental 102.3 FM won the Best Radio Station (Lagos) category. The radio programme, “Kubanji Direct,” emerged as Viewers’ Choice for Best Community Access Programme on Radio, and “Box of Goodies” was awarded Best Kiddies/Youth Programme of the Year.
Three of the station’s on-air personalities also were awarded. Booboo won as Outstanding Radio Presenter (Morning Ride 5 am to 11 am); Lady O Mary took home the award for Outstanding Radio Presenter (Lunch Hour 11am – 4 pm, and Mighty George won as Outstanding Male Sportscaster on Radio (Lagos)
The awards ceremony attracted broadcasters from around the country.
Commenting on the avalanche of awards, CBS Chief Executive Officer, Nigel Parsons, said that this justified the level of professionalism and expertise inherent in the stations.
According to Parsons, “There is no doubt that TVC, Radio Continental and other stations in our fold have distinguished themselves, and the awards were to justify the impact we have had in the areas we broadcast and on the people who have become not only viewers and listeners, but ardent friends of the stations. I must say that this is just the beginning.”
Event hosts, famous TV celebrity couple, Isaac and Nneka Moses of the Goge Africa fame, were inducted into the Nigerian Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Other inductees were veteran broadcasters, Olusesan Ekisola and Mani Onumonu.
