By Chinedu Echianu
The Media Adviser to the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Mohammad Abdulkadri, has received an Award of Excellence for Courageous Journalism, Defence and Security Reporting, and Exceptional Contributions to National Security Communications.
The award was presented by Sixt-Media Lane Consult Limited at its inaugural Annual Awards and National Leadership Lecture, held under the theme, Service Over Self.
Abdulkadri, who has more than three decades of experience in journalism, was recognised for his contributions to defence and security reporting, particularly his coverage of military operations against insurgency, terrorism and other security threats.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, he described the recognition as a testament to his years of dedication, resilience and reporting from dangerous locations.
He also recalled his experience as Nigeria’s first embedded defence correspondent, covering military operations across the North-East and other parts of the country, including counter-terrorism operations on land, by air and maritime operations against piracy.
Abdulkadri said his assignments also took him alongside Nigerian troops on peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Darfur, Mali and Cameroon under multinational joint task arrangements.
He disclosed that he began embedded military reporting in 2009, covering several operations, including Operations Zaman Lafiya, Lafiya Dole, Gama Aiki and Hadin Kai among others.
The journalist recounted surviving landmine incidents and other dangerous situations while reporting from conflict zones in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents.
Abdulkadri dedicated the award to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), which provided the platform for his career, his family, colleagues and military personnel who paid the supreme price in defence of the country.
He urged young journalists to prioritise professional integrity, diligence, self-discipline and passion for the job rather than pursuing quick financial gains, cautioning against compromising journalistic ethics and professionalism, while stressing the need for continuous training, self-development and resilience.
While acknowledging the opportunities created by digital journalism, he expressed concern over what he described as the declining commitment to professional standards among some practitioners.
He called for renewed passion, integrity and responsible journalism to restore public confidence and strengthen the media’s contribution to national development.
Eariler in his welcome address, the Publisher of Sixt-Media Lane, Prince Sixtus Opara, said the awards were established to recognise individuals whose professionalism, integrity, courage and commitment to service had contributed to national development.
Opara said the theme, Service Over Self, underscored the need for leaders and professionals to place national interest above personal considerations.
He stressed that leadership should be measured by positive contributions to society rather than positions of authority, wealth or personal achievements.
Other award recipients included former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, who delivered a lecture on policing, national security and nation-building, drawing on his 40 years of service to Nigeria.
A former Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Lawrence Alobi, also presented a paper on the importance of selfless service in public office.
