• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, a professor and renowned Nigerian writer and literary scholar, as well as veteran broadcasters, Sienne Allwell-Brown and Ruth Benamaisia-Opia, have been named among the jurors for the Silver Jubilee Edition of Independent Newspapers Awards. They are among seven prominent Nigerians selected to evaluate the various nominations for the Independent Awards 2025, which coincides with the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the prominent Nigerian tabloid which hit the newsstands in October 2001. Other prominent Nigerians selected for the jury panel are Yusuf Yila, former director of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, pioneer managing director/chief executive officer, FSB International Bank Plc; Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, a Channels Television anchor, creative expert, Dede Mabiaku, among others. The Silver Jubilee edition of the Independent Awards has been declared a special edition by the Board of Editors of the media house with special features such as digital nominations and voting by Nigerians on Independent website. The Chairman of the Awards Committee, Yemi Adebisi, said that the introduction of a jury panel of credible Nigerians this year was to achieve innovation and credibility in one breath. "The 2025 Independent Awards which comes up on April 18 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, has been designed to celebrate Independent Newspapers' milestone in cutting-edge journalism," he said. According to him, "The decision to give our readers the opportunity to participating in who gets the Independent Awards in different categories this time is part of our continuous search for uniqueness, fairness, and credibility. "And we are delighted to unveil some of the most credible Nigerians to adjudicate in the process of deciding the winners of this Silver Jubilee Edition of our nationally celebrated awards." He also urged Nigerians to participate in the voting process, which is ongoing, as part of their contribution towards rewarding Nigerians who are blazing the trail in their chosen fields. The winners of the prestigious awards drawn from about 25 categories across all walks of life would be announced at Eko Hotel & Suites on Saturday, April 18, 2026 by 5pm. The event will be broadcast live by Channels TV and News Central. The royal father of the day and special guest of honour, His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1, has expressed his desire to grace the occasion in the company of the Oba-in-Council. Also, the Soun of Ogbomoso, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni, Orunmogege III, has accepted to be the chairman of the day and guest of honour. Source: https://businessday.ng/news/article/independent-newspapers-unveil-star-studded-jury-for-its-silver-jubilee-awards/