Lagos: A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent, Mr. Rasak Raji, has won an Outstanding Community Relations Journalist of the Year award in Lagos. Raji, who serves as the Badagry District Correspondent for NAN, received this honor from the Conference of 57 Chief Press Secretaries of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the award was designed to recognize journalists who have made significant contributions to enhancing local governance and fostering connections between communities and the media. The conference highlighted Raji’s professionalism, accuracy, and integrity, noting that his work continues to build trust between citizens and their leaders.
The award ceremony took place at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) in Topo, Badagry, drawing journalists, council officials, and community leaders who gathered to celebrate excellence in grassroots reporting. During the event, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, applauded Raji for his dedication to telling the stories of ordinary people and for bridging the gap between local authorities and residents through accurate, community-focused reporting.
Hunpe emphasized the role of journalism as a tool for social cohesion and accountability at the grassroots level, praising Raji’s consistent efforts to highlight the challenges and successes of communities in Badagry and across Lagos. In his acceptance speech, Raji expressed that the award represented more than just a plaque, serving as validation for years of dedicated work covering community development projects, cultural celebrations, governance issues, and human interest stories that often remain unnoticed.
The applause following the recognition reflected a collective endorsement of journalism that strengthens communities, inspires development, and maintains the bond between the people and their government. Attendees at the event lauded the recognition, underscoring that community journalism is essential to democracy as it ensures that the voices of those at the grassroots are heard despite the noise of national politics.