From Beatrice Akua Asamani, GNA Special Correspondent, Maputo

Maputo, July 16, GNA - Shola Oshunkeye, a Nigerian, won the coveted CNN Multi Choice Journalist of the Year Award with his story, " Niger's Graveyard of Living," which exposed devastating famine in Niger last year and brought global action to end the catastrophe and offer relief to the hidden victims.

Mozambican President Emilio Guebuza, with CNN's Managing Director, Chris Cramer and Nolo Letele, Chief Executive Officer of Multi Choice South Africa, presented the award to the 50 year-old editor at a glamorous gala event on Saturday at the Polana Serena Hotel, Maputo. His prize comprises a three-week professional programme at the CNN Centre, Atlanta, with complimentary flights, courtesy, South African Airways and a cash prize along with prizes given to all 15 category winners, participating in a four-day finalists' programme, a laptop computer, modem and printer and an additional cash prize, Shola, whose piece also won him the M.K.O. Abiola Print Journalist Award, dedicated the award to his wife, who proudly cheered him, for her support and endurance. He wrote the story for TELL Magazine of Nigeria but now works with Sun Publishing Limited, Nigeria as a general editor.

President Guebuza, praised journalists for their role as partners in deepening democracy and protecting social rights, saying Mozambican journalists were playing a critical role in making the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean' a peaceful, democratic and just nation, with a commitment to fight against poverty and corruption.

Mr. Cramer said journalism was an honourable profession, therefore, its practitioners must only be people with honour and integrity.

He expressed CNN's commitment to the awards, aimed at promoting and rewarding excellence in African Journalism.

Mr. Letele, for his part, stressed the important contribution of journalists in solving problems and cited their role in dealing with the Mozambican floods as a classic example.

Lillian Aluanga of the Sunday Standard, Kenya won the MSD Health Medical Award; Isaac Masingati of The Sunday Times, Malawi, received the EcoBank Economics and Business Award; Khopotse Bodibe -The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for HIV/AIDS Journalism; Sandy McCowen of South African Broadcasting Corporation-TV General News Bulletin Award; and Refinaldo Chilengue of Revista Mais, Mozambique-Portuguese General News Award.

The Sport Award, sponsored by Global Media Alliance was won by Angus Begg of Carte Blanche, M-Net South Africa; Salwa Jaafari, 2M, Morocco got Electronic Media Francophone General News Award, while Ramata Sore of L'Envenement, Burkina Faso, won the print in that category. Joe Ombuor, Daily Nation, Kenya-Environment Award; Desmond Kwande, Daily Mirror Zimbabwe-Mohamed Amin Photographic Award. Tanya Farber, The Sunday Independent, South Africa won the South African Tourism Award; Sammy Muruya-Metro FM, Kenya-Radio General News; Jacques Pauw, SABC, South Africa-TV Features Award; Dumisani Muleya, Zimbabwe Independent-Free Press Award and Victoria Cullinan, M-Net South Africa-Arts and Culture Award.

Leading companies in Africa, including Global Media Alliance and Safebond Africa Limited, both Ghanaian companies sponsored the awards. Joel Kibazo, Chairman of the judging panel, said the 1,530 entries received from 43 countries across the continent were highly competitive but the judges were unanimous in choosing Shola's entry as the best.

Judges were looking for stories which were presented in a clear and balanced manner; were comprehensive; relevant to their audiences; demonstrated investigative and journalistic flair ; displayed well organised research, depth and insight among other qualities. The competition is open to African professional journalists, including freelancers, working for media organisations that are African-owned; headquartered within the continent; distribute in Africa a printed publication or electronic medium broadcast which is primarily targeted at and received by an African audience.

Ghana's Joana Mantey won the top award at the maiden event in 1995. Three other Ghanaians have since won different categories. Edward Boateng founded the award when he worked for Turner Broadcasting Networks/ CNN.