The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism has postponed the presentation of award to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Prof Osinbajo was initially scheduled to be presented the Anti-Corruption Defender Award at the ceremony on Monday.
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However, a statement on Monday by the centre’s executive director/CEO, Motunrayo Alaka, said the postponement was due to the repression of free speech in recent times especially the incident between the Department of State Services (DSS) and convener of RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.
Mr Sowore was rearrested while in court on Friday just hours after his release on Thursday night.
“The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism has postponed the presentation of award to the Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo,” the statement said.
“The postponement was decided on, to align with protests against the repression of freedom of speech in recent times, especially the incidence between the Department of State Security (DSS) and Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters, on Friday 6 December.”
Mr Alaka added that Osinbajo “himself shares this awareness and the inappropriateness of the award at this point.”
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The statement, however, said the award presentation programme would hold as scheduled.
“13 journalists from print, online, television, radio, photo, and editorial cartoon categories will be celebrated. Veteran photojournalist, Sunmi Smart-Cole, and Amnesty Nigeria will also be presented honorary awards of the Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence and the Anti-Corruption Defender Award (Human Rights Specialty) respectively,” it said.
