By Kasie Abone
Submission of entries for the 2016 edition of Maltina Teacher of the Year has been extended. The submission will now close onFriday, 22nd July, 2016 even as entries for Nigerian Breweries annual Golden Pen Award for excellence in journalism has opened. According to Nigeria Breweries Plc, the organisers of the Maltina contest, the extension was as a result of appeals by secondary school teachers across the country for more time to enable them file their entries for the coveted prize worth over N50 million.
Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of the company said entries had been received from teachers in 34 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
“We have extended deadline for the submission of entries for Maltina Teacher of the Year because of the overwhelming appeal by teachers across the country for the extension. This initiative is for teachers; we believe it is just fair for us to take their interest into consideration. As a company, we always listen and take the view of the people into consideration in our decision making process,” he said.
Nigerian Breweries Plc has extended the scope of this year’s edition of the Maltina Teacher of-the Year initiative to include privately- owned secondary schools in the country. In the maiden edition last year, the competition was limited to teachers in the nation’s public secondary schools.
The initiative is to reward commitment and diligence to duty by exceptional teachers across the country. It is done on the platform of Nigerian Breweries- Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust.
Each State Champion will get N500, 000 and the top 10 teachers will be recognized before the grand winners are announced. The second and first runners-up will receive trophies and an additional N750, 000 and N1,000, 000 respectively. The Maltina Teacher of the Year 2016 will get an additional N1, 000, 000 instantly plus N1,000, 000 every year for the next five years, a development training opportunity abroad and a block of classrooms built at the school where he/she teaches.
On the Golden Pen Award, Ekanem explained at the flag-off of the eight edition of the competition in Lagos that it would be in three categories – Golden Pen Reporter of the Year, Golden Pen Photo Journalists of the Year and Golden Pen Nigerian Breweries Report of the Year.
He further disclosed that the theme of the award remains Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development.
The award he emphasized was introduced to promote professionalism and objective reportage of events in Nigeria. It is also meant to reward such journalists who abide by the ethics of the journalism profession.
While stressing that the previous editions had strengthened the credibility of the awards by making it all inclusive a measure that encouraged increased media buy-in.
Entries which opened June 28th will close Friday, August 19th, 2016
He also informed that an independent jury will then analyze the entries for their originality, news value, use of resources, credibility and factuality.
“Other areas of interest would include info-graphics, lay out/headline, clarity and social responsibility. After the adjudication, a shortlist of nominees would be announced early in October 2016. The 8th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Awards Ceremony will hold on Friday October 28, 2016 where winners will be announced,” he said.
According to him, winners in the three categories will receive the Golden Pen Award, gift items and the following cash prizes: NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year N1,000,000, Report of the year (N500,000), Photojournalist of the Year (N500, 000), Reporter of the Year (N300, 000), Pen Reporter of the Year (N200, 000), Photojournalist of the Year (N250, 000) while Photojournalist of the Year (N200, 000).
