Olatunji Dare, Ray Ekpu to receive DAME Lifetime awards

Professor of mass communication and veteran columnist, Olatunji Dare, and former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Mr. Ray Ekpu, will on Saturday, December 15, 2018, be decorated with Lifetime Achievement award by Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

Educated at the University of Lagos where he earned a first class Bachelor’s degree in mass communication in 1973, Dare later obtained a Master’s degree at Columbia University, and a doctorate at Indiana University, Bloomington.

He was for many years a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.

He later served as editorial page editor of The Guardian before relocating abroad where he taught at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois for 19 years.

Dare is one of Nigeria’s longest serving newspaper columnists, having been at it for almost four decades. DAME notes Dare’s “lifelong devotion to advancing the frontiers of knowledge and strengthening the media as a pillar of democracy.” DAME commended him for producing “many journalists and administrators who are today holding important positions in various media institutions worldwide.”

Ekpu, a former President of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), is being honoured for his lifelong devotion to advancing the frontiers of knowledge and strengthening the media as a pillar of democracy.

Also a graduate of mass communication from the University of Lagos, Ekpu has been a dominant name in the media for almost four decades.

A former editor of The Nigerian Chronicle, he edited Sunday Times before joining National Concord as chairman of the editorial board.

A founding father of Newswatch in 1984, he has been part of the struggle for press freedom. Today, he keeps a weekly column in The Guardian.

As a celebrated media manager, Ekpu has mentored many outstanding journalists who are holding important positions in various media institutions worldwide.

The lifetime award is DAME’s highest honour for communication professionals who have distinguished themselves and brought uncommon honour to journalism practice in the belief that such honorees can continue to serve as positive role models. With this recognition, both Dare and Ekpu join 24 previous inductees into the DAME Hall of FAME of Lifetime Achievers who have brought honour and meaning to media practice and scholarship.

Previous honorees include eight deceased men and sixteen living legends. The deceased are: Alhaji Babatunde Jose, Anthony Enahoro, Mr. Alex Ibru, Professor Alfred Opubor, Mallam Turi Muhammadu, Hadj. Alade Odunewu, Chief Segun Olusola and Mr. Ted Mukoro.

The living giants are Mr. Sam Amuka, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Henry Odukomaiya, Mallam Mohammed Ibrahim, Chief Segun Osoba, Prince Tony Momoh, Princess (Mrs.) Omobola Onajide, Mr. Felix Adenaike, Dr. Doyin Abiola, Senator Akin Odunsi, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, Professor Idowu Sobowale, Mr. Dan Agbese, Mr. Kevin Ejiofor, and Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi.