Yiljap Abraham, Prof. Obateru, Others Honored as EEWN Celebrates 20 Years,Unveils Journalism Academy

Edward E C

JOS, NIGERIA — The Eagle Eye Watch Media Group has officially marked its historic 20th-anniversary milestone with a high-level public discourse and the formal public launch of the Eagle Eye Journalism Academy (EEJA) in Jos, Plateau State.

The dual event brought together an elite assembly of state actors, academic heavyweights, and institutional leaders to dissect independent publishing under the theme: “Media, People, Politics, and National Development: The Eagle Eye Watch News Perspective.”

The celebration featured a highly prestigious recognition ceremony honoring individuals who have driven excellence across the media, academic, and civic sectors [GCMHE]. The corporate plaques were presented to the following distinguished honorees:

Hon. Yiljap Abraham (Former Commissioner for Information & Veteran Broadcaster and current Special Adviser on Policy & Governance to Plateau State Governor) — Honored with the Landmark Distinguished Media Leadership Award for his decades of uncompromising professionalism.

Prof. Taye Cosmas Obateru (Professor of Journalism, Media & Cultural Studies, University of Jos) — Presented with the Landmark Distinguished Academic Excellence and Media Award for his monumental contributions to media education and peace journalism.

Elder Yakubu Ajala (Chairman, Plateau Independent Publishers Association – PIPA) — Presented with the Landmark Media and Peace Recognition Award in formal recognition of his exceptional leadership, professional integrity, and outstanding contributions to national development as a distinguished Journalist, Media Proprietor, Peace Builder, and Community Leader.

Hon. James Yakubu (Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Plateau State) — Awarded the Landmark Humanitarian and Leadership Award for his outstanding grassroots philanthropy and youth empowerment initiatives.

Mallam Abdulrahman Ibn Mohammed (Veteran Broadcast Journalist & Executive, NTA) — Honored with the Landmark Distinguished Media Excellence Award recognizing his decades of technical precision and broadcast sector development.

Arc. Olusegun Olukoya Goodwin (FNIA) (National Director, FGBMFI) — Conferred with the Landmark Cornerstone Leadership Excellence Award in formal recognition of his exceptional leadership, professional integrity, and outstanding contributions to national development as a distinguished Architect, Businessman, Educationist, and Marketplace Leader.

Gad Shamaki presented with the Landmark Distinguished Civic Advocacy & Leadership Award in high corporate recognition and profound appreciation for his exceptional leadership, structural integrity, and decades of tireless advocacy in the civil society space.

Commander Martins Dajangla (Foundational Supporter) — Presented with a special commendation certificate recognizing his long-standing institutional support and dedication as a foundational pillar of the media house.

Hon.Malfred Nyam ( Foundational Member) Presented with a special commendation certificate recognizing his early pioneering support and steadfastness for the EEWN.

As a key highlight of the anniversary activities, Commander Martins Dajangla also took the stage to deliver a highly essential, tactical Safety Talk on Cautious Driving.

Addressing the audience during the special segment, Commander Dajangla highlighted the historical safety risks associated with the traditional ‘Ember Months’ (September to December).

He urged motoring dignitaries, journalists, and members of the public to strictly practice defensive driving, maintain vehicle structural integrity, and avoid speed violations to preserve lives across Nigerian roads during the high-traffic season.

Delivering his opening address, the Chief Host and Executive Director of Eagle Eye Watch News, Comrade Charles Ejoh, chronicled the media house’s twenty-year journey as an unyielding battle for public accountability and truth.

Ejoh revealed that the survival of the independent media platform was built entirely on grueling personal and collective sacrifices.

“In pursuit of this vision, I have been detained in a police cell, sold my first car to publish an edition, and even borrowed money—not for food, but purely to fund the cause of this vision,” Ejoh told the audience.

He emphasized that the media remains the indispensable bridge between the governors and the governed, asserting that genuine progress begins when the everyday citizen is empowered with the truth to make informed political choices.

According to Ejoh, the greatest asset of Eagle Eye Watch News over the past two decades has been its deep investment in human capital—serving as a core training ground for hundreds of journalists, industrial training (IT) students, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who have built successful media careers through the establishment.

A major highlight of the ceremony was a dedicated Roll Call of Honour celebrating the original 2006 Foundational Class of Eagle Eye Watch News.

Ejoh expressed deep institutional gratitude to the pioneer staff and board members who stood firmly by the vision during its formative years despite their pressing personal commitments.

To commemorate their decade-spanning structural dedication, the organizing committee presented the pioneers with Certificates of Meritorious Commendation. Ejoh noted that these collective sacrifices have yielded monumental institutional respect, including exclusive recognition and high-level invitations from state governments, solidifying the platform’s footprint in Nigeria’s media landscape.

Marking a resilient transition into a permanent era of institutional media education, the event culminated in the formal public unveiling of the Eagle Eye Journalism Academy (EEJA) prospectus.The academy is designed to permanently institutionalize the mentorship framework that Eagle Eye Watch News has practiced informally for twenty years. Run in strategic partnership with the Global Center for Media and Human Empowerment (GCMHE), the academy will offer specialized executive and diploma pathways focusing on investigative methods, contemporary digital media management, legal-journalism frameworks which will be led by seasoned legal practitioners, and frontline operational safety .

Ejoh concluded by stating that the academy’s mandate is to cultivate, train, and equip a fearless new generation of media professionals to navigate the digital age ethically.

This ensures that the “Eagle Eye” legacy continues to protect the interests of the citizens, hold political structures accountable, and drive genuine national development for decades to come.