THISDAYonline

The regional nominees for the year 2001 edition of the Pan African Broadcasting, Heritage and Achievement (PABHA) Awards were announced by the adjudicating committees of the various sub-regions last week. For English West Africa region, a total of 59 awards categories were announced.

For Television, Patrick Oke, presenter of Sunrise on Channels TV won the zone's Screen Talent-Male nomination, while Eugenia Abu emerged the Female Screen Talent. Jimi Odumosu, General Manager of LTV 8- Ikeja will represent the zone as Best Television Manager. Popular TV serial, Tightrope was adjudged Best Produ-ction, while Wale Adenuga Productions clinched the Visionary Organisation slot. Pete Edochie grabbed the zone's nomination as Feature Film on Screen Talent-Male. in the same manner, veteran actress, Joke Sylva wrestled and got the female category. Tunde Kelani (Thunderbolt) is representing the zone as Feature Film Manager with Sierra Leonean ethnographic flick, Cry Freetown which won the zone's Outstanding Project- Film.

For Radio, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)- Kaduna's Ahmed Usman is Radio Presenter-Male and his FRCN- Abuja colleague, Medina Dauda is the female category nominee. Mike Baridon Oku, General Manager of Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (RSBC) got the zone's only slot as Best Radio Manager. Kolade Alabi's Fact File on RayPower 100.5 FM was adjudged Best Radio Programme, while FRCNwas adjudged Best Radio Station.

In the Print category, Outstanding Male Reporter goes to Paul Ibe formerly of National Interest now Daily Independent while THISDAY's Aviation correspondent, Amaka Bright-Osigwe won the female category. Demola Oshinubi of Punch Newspapers emerged Best Print Manager, but the Outstanding Project goes to the record breaking investigative The News' Face of a Liar. Punch will represent the zone as the Best Newspaper.

In literary field, Ghana's Ayi Kwei Armah was nominated the zone's Best Literary Writer- Male, while London-based Nigeria's Buchi Emecheta clinched the female category. Chukwuemeka Ike's The Naked gods won the Best Work category and Spectrum Books will represent the zone as Best Publisher.

In sports, Bayern Munich's left-full back, Samuel Osei Kuffor won the Best Sports Man with Super Falcon's goal poacher, Mercy Akhide as Best Sports Woman. Ghana's Uma Sey emerged the zone's Best Sports Manager .However, Nigeria's Super Eagles wrestled Best Sports Team from its rivals. George Weah is the zone's Best Sports Developer.

The zone's Best Music Performer- Male goes to Ghana's Highlife crooner, Kodjo Anthwi and Nigeria's Onyeka Onwenu grabbed the female category. Laolu Akins was adjudged the zone's Best Music Manager; while the Charly Boy - production of King Sunny Ade's video The Way Forward got Best Music Video. Hajia Barmin Mai Choge unanimously won the Best Choral Music category.

Visual art's Best Male Artist is Joe Musa with Ndidi Dike as Best Female Artist. Abraham Uyovbisere's entry has no rival as it clinched Best Art Work. Didi Museum grabbed Best Gallery.

In health and Medicine, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti is Best Male Researcher while the female category goes to a Sierra Leonean researcher whose name is yet to be ascertained. Dr. Ovadje is the sole nominee for Best Discovery, while computer whizkid, Philip Emeagwali emerged as the zone's winner in Technological Innovation- Best Male. Barth Nnaji won Best Project in Technology.

On environment, Chief Newton Jibunoh is zone's Best Male Environmentalist while Aduke Alakija is the female best. Okomu National Park is the sole nominee for Best Environmental Project while environment's Outstan-ding Company goes to Chevron Nigeria Limited.

Outstanding Male in Humanitarian Service goes to Nwankwo Kanu for his Heart Foundation. Mrs. Titi Abubakar will represent the zone as Outstanding Female Humanitarian. Most Worthy Organisation goes to Nigeria Heart Foundation while the Eye Care Foundation won Worthy Project.

In achievement, Goddie Ibru is Best Success Story (Entrepreneurial) Male, while Stella Okoli won the female category. Best Project/Field goes to the elitist Lagos Business School, while Emzor Pharmaceutical beats goes to the finals as the zone's Outstanding Business. United Bank of Africa's Managing Director, Arnold Ikpe is Best Male Manager while Nigerian Stock Exchange's Ndi Okereke Onyiuke is Female Best Manager. Ashanti Gold Field (the first African company to be quoted in New York Stock Exchange- NYSE is adjudged Outstanding Corporation as well as the Outstanding Project. The PABHA Overall Awards unanimously goes to United Nation's Secretary General, Kofi Anan.

The final adjudicating process took place over the weekend in Johannesburg South Africa. Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony in Abuja on November 3, 2001.