NAWOJ Hails Ann Godwin After Historic Double Win at NMMA and DMOMA Awards

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter, has celebrated investigative journalist Ann Godwin following her rare achievement of winning two major national media awards on the same day.

Ms Godwin, Head of the South-South Bureau of The Guardian Newspaper Limited, emerged as Female Reporter of the Year at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) and also clinched the Media Personality of the Year at the Distinguished Media Organisation Merit Award (DMOMA).

The honours recognise what NAWOJ described as her professionalism, integrity and far-reaching impact in investigative journalism.

An accomplished investigative reporter and alumna of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Godwin is a fellow of several prestigious journalism platforms, including the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Report Women Programme, the South African Data Hub (Orodata Science) and the Dataphyte Climate Lab. She is widely known for data-driven reporting that has exposed corruption, strengthened public accountability and influenced policy actions.

Her career has been marked by national and international collaborations, as well as multiple grants supporting in-depth investigations. In 2022, she made history as the first-place winner of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Award under the ReportWomen Leadership Project. She has also received accolades from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Advancing Women in Business Award for her contributions to journalism and society.

In a statement signed by its Chairperson, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, and Secretary, Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie, the Rivers State chapter of NAWOJ described Godwin’s achievement as a source of inspiration to journalists across Nigeria. The association urged media professionals to remain courageous and ethical in carrying out their civic duties, despite the challenges of the profession.

NAWOJ further called on governments at all levels and media organisations to create safer and more enabling environments for journalists, stressing the need for fair remuneration, access to resources and respect for press freedom.

According to the association, a protected and empowered media remains central to democratic governance, development and social progress in Nigeria.