The Guardian reporter, Ann Godwin, emerged as one of the celebrated journalists at the prestigious Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAR).
She emerged runner-up in the print category of the 19th edition of WSAR, which was held at the AGIP Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos.

Her article, titled ‘At UPTH’s ICU, horror, nightmare as caregivers exploit sick and dying patients’, which was published in The Guardian on June 2, 2024, revealed the harrowing experiences patients go through at the medical facility’s ICU ward, and also exposed shady deals by medical workers, as well as the challenges of oxygen supply to patients.

Consequently, the report attracted the Federal Government’s attention a few weeks later, as it intervened and completed four oxygen manifold piping facilities in various locations within the hospital to cover 100 beds and make the cylinders deliver gas directly to patients from the manifold.

The report also attracted the benevolence of Grammy award winner, Burna Boy, who offset bills indigent patients. It equally compelled the management to sanction erring staff as deterrence to others.

In this year’s episode, out of the 291 entries, only 15 emerged as finalists. Other winners were Jemilat Nasiru and Mansur Ibrahim of The Cable in the online category. Olufunke Fayemi of the Voice of Nigeria was the runner-up in the radio category, as there was no winner.

The judges explained that no work met the requirements to emerge the winner. The TV category was won by Aaron Atsahyel of Trust TV, while the photo category was won by Olukayode Jaiyeola of Punch, the Print category was clinched by Lami Sadiq of the Daily Trust, and Chukwuemeka Emenike of New Telegraph won the cartoon category, among others.

Godwin, the Head, South-South Bureau of The Guardian, who in 2022, emerged first prize winner of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism-Female Leadership Programme award, has brought significant positive impacts that led to system improvement, thus enhancing the citizens’ quality of life.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka, said a vibrant civic space was the lifeblood of a healthy democracy. She noted that despite the numerous challenges faced by investigative reporters, many journalists remain steadfast in their commitment to holding governments and citizens to account.

By covering corruption, abuse of power and social justice, these journalists empower the public to demand transparency and good governance, she added. The ED said to recognise their invaluable contributions, the WSCIJ had honoured the work of exceptional investigative journalists for the past 19 years.

Alaka pointed out that the intentionality and quality of investigative reporting were dwindling, charging media organisations and editors to address the drift. She condemned the indiscriminate harassment and arrest of journalists in the line of duty.

Alaka lauded the Netherlands embassy for supporting the civic space and the award in the last five years.

Reacting, Godwin thanked the WSCIJ and the judges for maintaining high standards in the selection and award processes. She reaffirmed her commitment to promoting a better society through her work.

She said the award will encourage her and other journalists to remain courageous, and bold to discharge their civic duties with high professionalism and dexterity to continue making significant impacts in the society and improving the quality of lives of the people.

“Journalists should not be deterred in embarking on outstanding works that will bring desired impacts in the society irrespective of the daunting challenges facing us in the country,” she said.

“In the present Nigeria where the economy is in an anaemic state, institutions weak, infrastructure collapsing, growth stunted, we need courageous journalists who will be firm to uphold ethical standards, beam their searchlights in the dark areas and through the unbiased and professional reports change the narrative and rebuild the country”.

Godwin, a fellow of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Report Women Programme and a first prize recipient of the prestigious WSCIJ Female Leadership Reporter’s Programme award for the 2021 set, awarded in June 2022.

She has also bagged a Special Recognition award from the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ) chapter and an award of excellence from the Advancing Women In Business (ADWIB) following her contribution to the growth of journalism practice and the impacts of her reports to women in the South-South Region and the nation at large.