Sun Newspaper’s Aloysius Attah Wins 2025 Prof. Okunna Ethical Journalism Prize — Jungle Journalist Media Limited

Correspondent of The Sun Newspaper in Anambra State, Aloysius Attah, has emerged winner of the 2025 Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Ethical Journalism Prize of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council.

The Prize, instituted in 2020 by Prof. Chinyere Okunna, the first female professor of Mass Communication in sub-Saharan Africa and current Deputy Vice Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, seeks to reward outstanding journalists who uphold the core ethics of journalism in their reports and personal conduct.

Attah was announced winner during the 2025 Press Week Grand Finale and Man of the Year Awards of NUJ Anambra State Council held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka.

His investigative report, “Inside Anambra’s Trouble Communities” published in the Saturday Sun of June 28, 2025, was adjudged the best among all entries by the jury panel chaired by Chuka Nnabuife, Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE) and former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Light Newspapers.

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In the winning report, Attah disguised as a cleric on missionary work to penetrate Lilu community in Ihiala LGA— a settlement devastated and controlled by unknown gunmen. He was held hostage for over three hours by non-state actors who suspected him of espionage before eventually releasing him unhurt.

Chairman of the Jury, Nnabuife, praised the entry for its originality, investigative rigour, balance of sources, style of presentation, and adherence to journalistic ethos. He noted that the second runner-up position was left vacant as most submissions fell short of required standards.

The award plaque, certificate, and cash prize were presented to Attah by Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRUC).

In her remarks, Prof. Okunna reaffirmed her commitment to sustaining the prize, stressing that ethics remain a core principle of journalism which every practitioner must uphold.

Attah, who also serves as Chairman of the Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Onitsha Archdiocese, expressed gratitude to Prof. Okunna, the NUJ leadership, his editors at The Sun, and colleagues who continually encourage him.

The award adds to his growing list of recognitions, including the Best Investigative Reporter of the Year 2011 and Co-Culture Reporter of the Year 2012 in The Nation–Coca-Cola Students Reporters Awards, as well as first runner-up positions in the 2015 and 2016 Promasidor Quill Awards (Education Category).

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