Bayelsa Media Awards 2025 – It was an afternoon that glittered with brilliance, inspiration, and emotion — a day when the voices behind Bayelsa’s stories took center stage. The 12th edition of the Bayelsa Media Awards (BMA) 2025, held on October 9 at the Lady Daima Memorial Event Centre in Yenagoa, wasn’t just another ceremony; it was a vivid celebration of journalism’s power to inform, inspire, and ignite change.
From the red-carpet arrivals to the thunderous ovations that greeted each winner, the event echoed with the energy of progress — a fitting reflection of Bayelsa’s evolving media landscape. Co-sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and powered by the Bayelsa State Government, the BMA 2025 recognized journalists, broadcasters, and media organizations whose work amplifies resilience, innovation, and the enduring human spirit of the Niger Delta.
Glamour Meets Purpose
The hall was a spectacle — elegantly decorated with touches of gold and blue that mirrored the Bayelsa State colors. Distinguished guests, media executives, journalists, cultural icons, and government officials filled the venue. Laughter mingled with anticipation as nominees took their seats, hopeful that their names would be called among the year’s shining stars.
But beyond the glitz, the awards carried a deep sense of purpose. This year’s theme, “Bayelsa First: Promoting Culture, Driving Investment Through Media,” set the tone for a conversation that transcended accolades. It called for a reawakening — a recognition that the media holds the key to shaping perceptions, promoting cultural identity, and attracting development to the state.
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Governor Diri’s Vision: Media as a Catalyst for Development
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Douye Diri reaffirmed his administration’s belief in the indispensable role of the media. He described journalists as vital partners in driving the Assured Prosperity Agenda, his government’s blueprint for development and stability.
“The media remains one of the most veritable tools in strengthening modern democracy,” Diri noted. “Through effective reportage, you help build bridges of understanding between government and the people.”
He applauded the Bayelsa media community for its professionalism, especially in communicating government policies and fostering civic awareness. Diri also emphasized that his administration was working relentlessly to ensure progress across critical sectors — education, health, power supply, peace and security, and infrastructure.
“I want the Bayelsa Media to define the subject matter for which we want Bayelsa to be first,” he urged. “As a government, we have agreed that there will be no negotiation about development — be it in infrastructure, peace and security, power, health, education, or agriculture. We are marching deliberately and concertedly to achieve excellence in all these areas.”
The governor also highlighted strides in the education sector, proudly noting that “every tertiary institution in the state now has valid accreditation,” describing it as proof of his administration’s “no-compromise stance on education.”
A Keynote Rooted in Culture
The keynote speaker, Professor Barclay Ayakoroma, delved into the heart of the event’s theme. He emphasized that the media must play a central role in promoting Bayelsa’s cultural identity, especially its language, music, and food — the very soul of the Ijaw people.
“Culture is the foundation upon which development rests,” Ayakoroma declared. “One of the surest ways of propagating our culture is through the media. Unfortunately, Ijaw music has not gone international because it has not been properly promoted.”
His words struck a chord with the audience, drawing applause and reflection. Many agreed that while Bayelsa has a rich cultural tapestry, it requires strategic media storytelling to project its creative and economic potential to the world.
Honoring the Torchbearers
If the speeches inspired reflection, the awards themselves ignited pure joy. Each announcement was met with cheers and applause as journalists from print, radio, and television were honored for their outstanding contributions.
The Reporter of the Year (Print and Broadcast) went to Mr. Joseph Kunde of TVC, whose investigative pieces on rural development in the Niger Delta earned him both national recognition and admiration from his peers. Mr. Irorofa Okutuatin of Radio Bayelsa clinched the Best Presenter of the Year, praised for his engaging on-air style and commitment to community-driven content.
Mrs. Tariere Nelson-Abali, also of Radio Bayelsa, took home the Newscaster of the Year Award, while Jacobson Park of Golden FM was honored for the Sports Programme of the Year. Radio Bayelsa itself triumphed as Radio Station of the Year, continuing its legacy as the voice of the state.
The Pidgin Programme of the Year went to Royal FM’s “E Make Sense Morning Show,” recognized for blending humor with hard-hitting discussions on local issues. In the national category, Daily Champion won Newspaper of the Year, and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) was crowned TV Station of the Year.
Adding a touch of surprise and excitement, investigative journalist Bassey Willie walked away with a ₦1 million cash prize, courtesy of the NCDMB’s special “SDD Prize for Excellence.” His groundbreaking reports on oil revenue accountability were described as “a model of courageous journalism in the Niger Delta.”
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Celebrating the Champions of Truth
In his remarks, Mr. Victor Binawari, Initiator and Project Manager of the Bayelsa Media Awards, expressed gratitude to the state government and sponsors for sustaining the platform for over a decade.
“BMA has become a household name, not just for celebrating media excellence, but for inspiring integrity, creativity, and courage among journalists,” he said.
Binawari revealed that Governor Diri personally sponsored several award categories in recent editions — including the Presenter of the Year, Reporter of the Year, and Newscaster of the Year, while this year’s News Editor of the Year category was introduced with the governor’s approval.
He thanked the NCDMB for its “unwavering partnership,” noting that the Board’s support reflects its belief in the power of storytelling to drive content development and local empowerment.
A Standing Ovation for Leadership
The highpoint of the afternoon came when the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was honored with the Exceptional Excellence Award, recognizing his consistent support for the media community and his role in advancing inclusive governance. The hall erupted in applause as he received the award, flanked by journalists and cultural icons.
In his brief response, Ewhrudjakpo reiterated the state’s commitment to freedom of the press, emphasizing that “an informed society is a developed society.”
“You are the conscience of our democracy,” he told journalists. “Keep asking questions, keep telling our stories, and keep holding us accountable — but do so with truth, fairness, and patriotism.”
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Beyond Awards: A Call to Purpose
The 2025 Bayelsa Media Awards was more than an evening of glitz — it was a reflection of how far the state’s media industry has come, and how much further it can go. It celebrated the journalists who brave challenges to bring truth to light, the broadcasters who give voice to communities, and the editors who shape the public conversation.
The event reaffirmed that journalism, when practiced ethically and passionately, can indeed transform societies. It can attract investment, preserve culture, and deepen democracy.
As the curtains fell and flashes from photographers captured the jubilant winners, one message stood clear: the Bayelsa Media Awards isn’t just about recognizing the best — it’s about inspiring everyone to do better.
From the words of Governor Diri to the cheers that followed every announcement, the spirit of the event was unmistakable — a celebration of triumph, talent, and transformation.
The Bayelsa Media Awards 2025 once again proved that when stories are told with truth and heart, they do more than inform — they build legacies.
