Correspondent of The Guardian Newspaper, Tina Todo, has emerged the winner of the fifth edition of the Beatrice Bassey Ita Investigative Journalist Award, 2025.
Her report, “How Multiple Haulage Taxes Hike Cost of Food Production in Cross River,” published on September 8, 2024, earned her the top prize.
The second position went to Eyo Charles of Daily Trust, while Richard Ndoma of Leadership clinched the third spot.
The award ceremony, organized by the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), also recognized veteran journalists and media practitioners for their immense contributions to the growth of the profession in Cross River State.
National President of the NUJ, Comrade Yahaya Hassan, and President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Aisha Ibrahim were among those honoured.
In addition, the sponsor of the award and daughter of the late Chief Beatrice Bassey Ita, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, received the Pillar of NUJ Award for her longstanding support to the union.
Chairman of the NUJ Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, in her remarks, acknowledged the support of Senator Ita-Giwa towards the journalism profession and emphasized that the award continues to inspire excellence in investigative journalism while keeping alive the legacy of Chief Beatrice Bassey Ita.
The event was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, who commended journalists for the risks they go through while transforming society through their reportage.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, was represented by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, who delivered an emotional tribute, describing her late mother as a fearless journalist who carried the weight of her pen like a sword, yet carried her family with tenderness and grace.
“My mother was a woman who never trembled before tyranny. She always said: ‘If government tramples on the people, Dog will bite Dog.’ Her pen was her weapon, and she wielded it with courage”.
She also recounted Chief Beatrice Bassey Ita’s resilience during the struggles against military dictatorship, her association with pioneering female leaders like Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and her enduring influence on Nigerian journalism.
“Beyond being a fearless activist, she was a remarkable mother. She trained me, she prepared me, and she taught me strength. Today, I stand not only as a daughter but as a grateful custodian of her memory”.
There were goodwill messages by the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Yahaya Hassan, and the President of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, who both pledged continuous support for press freedom and gender inclusion in the media space.
The Beatrice Bassey Ita Investigative Journalist Award, instituted in honour of the late trailblazer and sustained by the NUJ, remains a symbol of courage, truth, and the enduring power of the written word.
