A Port Harcourt-based journalist, Odimegwu Onwumere has won the United Nations Correspondents Association awards for the year 2024, perhaps, being the first Nigerian to win the award.

He won bronze in the category of the awards, ?The Prince Albert II of Monaco and UNCA Global Prizefor Coverage of Climate Change.?

In an official statement in Port Harcourt on March 28, and made available to our newsroom, Onwumere said that in a well celebrated event in New York City, United States of America, in December 2024, he was unable to be present due to traveling shortcomings, having on Wednesday 6 November, 2024, received a mail from the awards team informing him of his finalist's position in the awards, which reads:

?Dear Odimegwu, The United Nations Correspondents Association is delighted to inform you that the UNCA Awards Selection Committee has chosen you as the BRONZE finalist of The Prince Albert II of Monaco and UNCA Global Prizefor Coverage of Climate Change.

?The 2024 UNCA Awards winners will be awarded at the 28th annual UNCA Awards gala on Friday, December 13th, Cipriani South Street in New York.

?United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres will be the guest of honour of the evening.

?The black-tie event will be attended by UN ambassadors, high-level UN officials, Hollywood celebrities, humanitarians, corporate and cultural organisations, and media from around the globe.?

Onwumere, who has won many awards and nominated in so many others home and abroad in his earlier mail to the awards? Committee, said he was extremely happy, adding that the award was a boost to his countless efforts in reading.

?I am extremely grateful to have been recognized as a bronze finalist of the Prince Albert II of Monaco for my reporting on climate change, and prestigious UNCA Global Prize for Coverage of Climate Change.

?While the event gears up to honour winners, receiving this award is not just a recognition of my work. It is an important milestone in my career as a journalist and an affirmation of the values I hold dear in this profession.

?This award symbolizes the countless hours I have spent researching, interviewing and writing important articles.

?It encourages me to push the boundaries, explore new topics and become more involved in the communities I serve.

?The support of this award strengthens my ambition to tackle difficult subjects with renewed strength and creativity. I am excited about what lies ahead and hope to continue making meaningful contributions through my reporting.?

Onwumere thanked everyone who has accompanied him, covertly or openly, on this journey. He said, ?This award belongs to them as much as it does to me.?

While the award?s medal was sent by the committee on January 29, Onwumere said he received the medal on March 27.

?I am not sure what the problem with the Nigerian mailing system was, as a registered parcel could not be delivered to my address. I went to the post office to collect it,? he said.

He once again, expressed his sincere gratitude for this honour. ?It means more to me than words can express.?

He thanked the team at The News Chronicle, where his winning article was published.

?I will strive to live up to the standard this award represents in all my future endeavours,? he concluded.

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