PACJA nominates Nigerian for 2014 ACCER awards

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has shortlisted Nigerian environmental writer, Greg Odogwu, for the 2014 African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards.
Odogwu, a columnist with the Punch newspaper is expected to join 14 other finalists across the continent to compete for the 2nd edition of the prestigious ACCER award which takes place on June 23-27 in Nairobi, capital of Kenya.
Speaking to Blueprint on telephone interview, the enthusiastic environmental rights campaigner describe his nomination as an act of divinity, saying it was with huge surprise that he received the news.
‘’It’s God,’’ he said, in appreciation of the announcement and solicited for more support ahead of the final ceremony.
Remarking on the process, PACJA secretary-general, Mr. MithikaMwenda, said: “Arriving at the ultimate winners from three hundred and nine entries is a rigorous journey, from the announcement of the competition, the official launch and public invitation for entries, collection and collation of entries, selection of judges, selection of best stories, announcement of finalist and the winners. Each phase of the journey is very important.”
Mithika availed that PACJA is convinced that once again, journalists of impeccable track record simplifying and disseminating climate change and environmental information will get a boost in recognition of their contribution to global call for action on climate change.
Kenya’s director of environment, water and natural resources, MuleiMuiya, noted that climate change had become a huge threat, referring to the recent scary assessment report by the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC), which warns of accelerated extreme events of sea level rise, drought and floods in the near future.
Muiya thanked the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) for coming up with the award initiative. “It will move the environmental and climate change reporting to the next level, and ensure that we have accurate and responsible reporting of such issues in Africa,” she said.
The ACCER Awards is an initiative of PACJA to recognise journalists from across Africa that have, through their reporting, contributed to the understanding and conceptualisation of climate change and environment as broader issue affecting development efforts.
It also encourages constructive environmental focus in the African media, as key partners in environmental conservation and protection, as well as its impact on public awareness. This second edition has attracted a lot of interest, with over 200 entries received across Africa.