Nigerian, Zimbabwean journalists win science journalism award in Ethiopia

L-R: ICIR's Chikezie Omeje and Zimbabwean reporter Munyaradzi Makoni after receiving the awards. SOURCE: ICIR

FORMER head of newsroom, senior investigative and data reporter of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Chikezie Omeje and Zimbabwean reporter Munyaradzi Makoni have been awarded cash prizes award of $3,000 each in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia for their reports in science journalism.

The award sponsored by the African Academy of Science, a non-governmental organisation based in Nairobi, Kenya with support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was presented during the Grand Challenges Annual meeting in Addis- Ababa.

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The meeting brings scientists and policymakers together to create solutions to global health problems.

While Omeje’s report on the mental injury inflicted on children by the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern part of Nigeria won him the award, Makoni won with his report on solar-tracking bracelet for nomadic pregnant women in Kenya.

Omeje captured the experience of Blessing and Aisha who are Boko Haram victims, and how the two teenagers witnessed the murder of their parents in cold blood and how the experience haunt them till date.

South-Africa-based Makoni on his part detailed the use of the solar-powered GPS embedded in a bracelet given to nomadic pregnant women in semi-arid area of Marsabit County in Kenya in order to prevent maternal mortality.