Health

MERCK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has announced the Nigerian winners of the Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2023 and “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards 2023. Winners from other African countries were also recognized in partnership with African First Ladies, who serve as Ambassadors for the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother initiative.

The awards ceremony was conducted via videoconference, celebrating media professionals for their contributions to raising awareness on critical social and health issues. Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, announced and acknowledged the winners.

The “More Than a Mother” Awards aimed to raise awareness on issues such as breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, empowering women, ending child marriage, ending FGM, and stopping GBV at all levels. The “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension across African countries.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed her excitement, stating, “I am very excited to announce the winners from Nigeria and the rest of Africa. We have 83 winners from 22 African countries in partnership with my dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa, and Ambassadors of ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.’ Congratulations to all our winners.

Since the inception of our Media Awards in 2017, we have seen a substantial increase in outstanding entries from many African countries. All our winners are champions of critical and sensitive social and health issues in their communities. It’s inspiring to see how we are actively engaging everyone to be the voice of the voiceless and create a cultural shift. Welcome to the Merck Foundation Alumni. Let’s continue to raise awareness on social and health issues together.”

Merck Foundation is also rewarding the winners with one-year access to an online educational training program called ‘MasterClass.’ This immersive, self-paced learning course can be accessed anywhere with internet connectivity.

Senator Kelej also announced the Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension.” These awards will continue in partnership with the African First Ladies, who are also Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother initiative.

Nigerian Winners of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2023:

More Than a Mother Media Recognition Awards 2023:

• Online Category:
  • Mariam Hamzat, Freelancer, Second Position

Diabetes & Hypertension Media Recognition Awards 2023:

• Online Category:
  • Odimegwu Onwumere, TheNigerianVoice.com, First Position

Winners from West African Countries:

• Print Category:
  • Raissa Sambou, The Spectator, Ghana, First Position
• Online Category:
  • Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, Myjoyonline, Ghana, First Position
  • Mariama, Dem Star.gm, The Gambia, Second Position
• Radio Category:
  • Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh, New Narratives, Liberia, First Position
  • Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Ghana, Second Position
• Multimedia Category:
  • Emmanuel Samani, TV3, Ghana, First Position
  • Stanley Nii Blewu, TV3, Ghana, Second Position

Winners from Southern African Countries:

• Print Category:
  • Melody Mupeta, Zambia Daily, Zambia, First Position
  • Moses Mugugunyeki, The Standard, Zimbabwe, Second Position
  • Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi, Second Position
  • Sonja Smith, The Namibian, Namibia, Third Position
• Online Category:
  • Michael Magoronga, Zimpapers, Zimbabwe, First Position
  • Munyaradzi Blessing Doma, ZimNow, Zimbabwe, Second Position
  • Caroline Mapando, Africabrief, Malawi, Third Position
• Radio Category:
  • Charlotte Nambadja, Desert Radio, Namibia, First Position
  • Britta Mpata Blantyre, Synod Radio, Malawi, First Position
  • Sera Tamina, Radio Icengelo, Zambia, Second Position
  • Monde Chaba, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Zambia, Third Position
• Multimedia Category:
  • Mirriam Kayemba, CAMNET TV, Zambia, First Position
  • Alepher Kasongo, MBC News, Malawi, Second Position

Winners from East African Countries:

• Print Category:
  • Marco Maduhu, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania, First Position
  • Elizabeth Angira, MT Kenya Times and People Daily, Kenya, First Position
  • Shaban Njia, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania, Second Position
• Online Category:
  • Moraa Obiria, Nation Media Group, Kenya, First Position
  • Isabella Maua Chemosit, The Times, Kenya, Second Position
  • Aveline Kitomary, Tanzania Standard, Tanzania, Third Position
  • Sophia Rukwaro, Black Hustlers TV, Kenya, Third Position
  • Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times, Rwanda, Third Position
  • Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian Newspaper, Tanzania, Third Position
• Radio Category:
  • Caren Waraba Sisya, Citizen Radio, Kenya, First Position
  • Olga Fadhil Lungala, Moshifm Radio, Tanzania, Second Position
  • Adam Hhando, CG FM, Tanzania, Second Position
  • Namale Hajara Shahista, CBS FM, Uganda, Third Position
  • Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Radio, Kenya, Third Position
• Multimedia Category:
  • Walter Mwesigye, NTV Uganda, Uganda, First Position
  • Elizabeth Atieno Ochieng, TV 47 Kenya, Kenya, Second Position

Winners from French Speaking African Countries:

• Print Category:
  • Koami Agbetiafa, Societe, Niger, First Position
  • Astère Nduwamungu, www.LeRenouveau.bi, Burundi, Second Position
  • Traore Brehima, The Toguna, Mali, Third Position
• Online Category:
  • Mêmèdé Ambroisine Azododassi, Savoir News, Togo, First Position
  • Jessy Nzengu, LualabamaProvince.com, DRC, First Position
  • Ayibe Ablavi Ayélo, Savoir News, Togo, Second Position
  • Haburanimana Gérard, Agaseke.bi, Burundi, Third Position
  • Jeanine Nyabenda, Ijisho Web Site News TV, Burundi, Third Position
  • Tognisse Pugilbert Yannick, DecryptageBenin.com, Benin, Third Position
• Radio Category:
  • Cyriaque Ndayishimiye, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi, First Position
  • Edmond Niyonkur, Radio Ubuzima-FM, Burundi, Second Position
• Multimedia Category:
  • Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal.Africa, Burundi, First Position
  • Amadou Bello, Balafon Direct, Cameroon, Second Position

Winners from Portuguese Speaking African Countries:

• Online Category:
  • Ângelo Amaro Semedo, DW África, Cabo Verde, First Position
• Radio Category:
  • Maria José Teixeira Veiga Macedo, Rádio de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde, First Position
• Multimedia Category:
  • Edineia Barros, TV Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde, First Position

Winners of Merck Foundation “Diabetes & Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023:

West African Countries:

• Print Category:
  • Jennifer Ambolley, Chronicle, Ghana, First Position
  • Godwin Awuni Anafo, Daily Graphic, Ghana, Second Position
• Online Category:
  • Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Ghana, Second Position
  • Cecilia Lagba Yada, Ghanaian Times, Ghana, Third Position
• Multimedia Category:
  • Grace Hammoah Agyemang, TV3, Ghana, First Position

Southern African Countries:

• Print Category:
  • Ed-Grant Ndoza, Malawi News Agency, Malawi, First Position
• Online Category:
  • Maria Kandjungu, Unwrap, Namibia, First Position
  • Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia, Second Position
  • Phillipa Mwazvita Chinhoi, Herald.co, Zimbabwe, Third Position
  • Rosalia Hipondoka, DBS Blogposts, Namibia, Third Position
• Radio Category:
  • Henry Haukeya, MBC Radio, Malawi, First Position
  • Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi, Second Position
  • Martha Mzumara, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi, Third Position

East African Countries:

• Print Category:
  • Christina Stephen Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania, First Position
• Online Category:
  • Lucy John Bosco, Mwananchi Online, Tanzania, First Position
  • Dorcas Wangira, BBC, Kenya, Second Position
  • Veronica Romwald Mrema,

F.A

July 1, 2024

Tags: Media Awards MERCK Foundation