The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has honored Comrade Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper and Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, with the Torchbearer of Press Freedom Award 2025.

Oyekunle emerged as one of the winners nominated for the Torchbearer award category as a Nigerian journalist who has faced several threats, harassment, and arrest in the course of carrying out his work.

He was presented with the prestigious award during the Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards 2025, held on Saturday in Abuja. The award was in recognition of his doggedness, courage, and audacity in defending and protecting press freedom, which has led to systems improvement and engendered a better quality of life for citizens.

It would be recalled that Oyekunle narrowly escaped death when he was first attacked by sponsored armed thugs on January 19, 2022, while covering the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The hoodlums suddenly invaded the court premises with dangerous weapons such as machetes and knives as they attacked Oyekunle alongside other human rights activists who were in court in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu.

He was also attacked and arrested on August 1, 2024, during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Abuja by the former FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, who also seized his mobile phone.

He was dragged like a common criminal, and his Canon Camera was damaged in the process.

Other recipients in the award category include Idibia Gabriel, a journalist with Daily Times Newspaper; Matthew Ochei, a reporter with The Punch newspaper; Lucy Ezeliore, Deputy Feature Editor of Pointer newspaper; Ibrahim Isha of TVC News; and Ibrahim Ayuba Isah of TVC News.

Speaking at the event, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, said the essence of the event was not only to celebrate the pillars of democracy but also to honor the brave souls who have upheld these ideals despite immense challenges.

“Press freedom remains the cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to hold leaders accountable and ensuring transparency and accountability in public affairs. It is not a privilege but a fundamental right that enables the media to perform its duties without fear of persecution,” he stated.

“Across Nigeria, journalists face harassment, imprisonment, and even death for simply doing their jobs. Despite these threats, our profession has shown remarkable resilience.”

“Tonight we honor courageous journalists who have demonstrated exceptional bravery in the face of adversity, risking their lives to pursue truth and justice,” he added, noting that despite the attacks, journalists would continue to uphold the principles of ethical journalism and promote high standards of professionalism in Nigeria.

On his part, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was the special guest of honor and was represented by Senator Adaramodu, charged media practitioners to be objective and uphold ethical and professional conduct.

He said the media has played a significant role in the entrenchment and enthronement of democracy, and their watchdog role in any democratic society cannot be overemphasized.

The recipients for the Good Governance Award category are Senator Godswill Akpabio, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Arc. Sunny S.T. Echocho, and Director General of the National Senior Citizens Center Dr. Emem Omokaro.

Others are the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Julius Berger, and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

In his response, Oyekunle expressed his appreciation for the remarkable, significant, and outstanding honor, just as he vowed to continue to defend and protect press freedom and anything capable of undermining or frustrating media and civic space

“Though the media and civic space is becoming more hostile, toxic, dangerous, and suffocating on a daily basis, we will not abdicate our responsibility irrespective of the harassment, intimidation, and arrest by security agents.

“We will continue to protect and uphold the fundamental objectives of the directive principles of the state policy as stipulated in Chapter 2 of the Constitution.”

“This award will spur me to continue to defend and protect press freedom and anything capable of undermining or frustrating our noble profession.”

“I hereby dedicate this award to all members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Council,” Oyekunle added.