Again, THISDAY Reporter Bags SWA Awards in Rwanda

THISDAY Crime and Defence reporter, Chiemelie Ezeobi, has bagged the golden star award for investigative journalism in West Africa in the print category.

This would be the third time Ezeobi would be winning the award but this time, she bagged the West Africa category as against the other two times she won Nigerian category.

The award will be received in Kigali, Rwanda during the 15th Security Watch Africa (SWA) Awards, Conference and Exhibition, alongside other recipients from the security, governance, academic and industrial sector.

The event which is to be personally hosted by the President of Rwanda, Mr. Paul Kagame, will hold at Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda from December 12 to 15, 2017.

Since the inception of the award in 2004, with Abuja, Nigeria, as its first host, the body has not looked back in tackling issues bordering on security in Africa and worldwide.

The event has grown over the years to incorporate other African, Middle East and American nations.

From inception in 2004, this event has held successfully in Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

According to the SWA CEO and International Coordinator, Mr. Patrick Agbambu, the event is expected to bring together African scholars across the world to discuss security and safety issues confronting Nigeria as a people.

He also said that they would celebrate outstanding and excellent performance by people across the continent.

He said: “Today more than ever before, there is urgent need for practical ideas that will help bring our continent, Africa out of the looming and palpable Armageddon.

"This year's event, which is in partnership with the Stellenbosch University, South Africa, promises to be credible, classy, glamorous and full of finesse.

"Already, we have confirmed attendance of dignitaries from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya, The Gambia, Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Namibia and Mozambique."

The partnership with the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, was affirmed after the signing of an MoU in June 2016.