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Diamonds are forever
Preface
Moses Ihonde
DAME Trustee
WE begin on a note of commendation that the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence has been able to render ten years of patriotic duty to the Nigerian nation.
DAME as the scheme is generally known has redefined the place and role of media professionals in Nigeria today. As a humanistic scheme established to reward outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations in the media sector, it deserves the commendation of all lovers of excellence. And as a beacon of hope that merit has reward in this country, it requires the support of all of us.
For DAME is a worthy initiative that nurtures the culture of appreciation – a culture so important in a country with very few authentic heroes! The culture of appreciation we speak of is not one that money can buy. Nor is it one that is shared out to satisfy less than noble considerations. Rather it is one that has merit as the sole criterion. In that respect DAME is a metaphor for the Nigerian nation. DAME has endured because merit pays. At the national level merit will endure when we accord its rightful place. Merit abounds everywhere as the list of winners of past DAME presentations show. From the East, West, North, and South, there are pockets of merit everywhere. Like a dutiful fisherman, DAME has fished out these apostles of merit.
At every presentation DAME has catalogued in commemorative editions of Media Review who the winners are, their winning works, and the making of the winning works. It is not surprising, therefore, at this landmark celebration the brains behind DAME have thought it fit to put these historical details into a book form on 10 years of DAME.
For this we must salute the vision of the promoters of DAME, the trustees and administrators who have nurtured the awards scheme into its present position of pre-eminence.
To be sure DAME began on a modest note. In March 1992, eight awards were given to deserving individuals and organisations. At the last count 127 honourees have been inducted into the DAME Hall of Fame. They come from the broad disciplines of Journalism, Broadcasting, and Advertising.
The growth in size, stature, and scope of the awards has been systematic, revealing commitment, diligence, and honesty of purpose on the part of the organisers. Too often noble projects have derailed in Nigeria because the promoters are too impatient to recoup their investments.
But as a not-for-profit trust DAME has shown that a humanitarian project can be run business wise. Rather than dividends to shareholders what those associated with DAME get in return is a huge dividend of goodwill as ambassadors of an idea that promotes greatness. They are great men and women themselves. For it takes great minds to celebrate great achievements. If you pardon the immodesty, permit me to consider myself privileged to be in this great company.
Let’s toast then the good health of DAME at 10 and its continued relevance to the search for authentic heroes. In tune with the title of book, Diamonds Are Forever, may DAME live forever!
September, 2001.
Contact: 0802 350 8533, 0802 778 8888, 0803 360 2887
Contact: +234-802 350 8533, +234-802 778 8888, +234-803 360 2887
OR +234-872-0238
Price $40 (N5,000)
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