Nigerian Journalist Patrick Egwu Wins 2nd Prize In The Haller Prize For Development Journalism

A young Nigerian Journalist and the Enugu state Correspondent of Orient Daily newspaper, Patrick Egwu, has won second place in the 2016 Haller Prize for Development Journalism.

Out of 110 applicants across different countries in Africa, Patrick's entry won the second place position and prize money of £1000.

A statement released day before yesterday on the Haller Foundation’s website said “Firstly, thank you to all those who entered this year’s prize and congratulations to those who made it onto the shortlist. There were many insightful entries and the quality across the board was high, meaning that picking a winner was a difficult task, so thanks must also go to our judging panel.


“We received 110 applications; ranging from Nigeria to Kenya, to Ghana, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia in answer to this year’s topic: “How best can digital technology empower development in Sub Saharan Africa? And where are the challenges?”


“Articles gave insight on the myriad challenges and opportunities of the Digital Revolution across Africa. From citizens using WhatsApp to communicate directly with town representatives to make sure infrastructure is improved in real time, to the many opportunities around learning skills and accessing services through digital tech.


“All the submissions provided unique perspectives on the change and transformation associated with the fast-changing world of technology in Africa. We will be publishing the top three articles on African Arguments, a comment and analysis site of African current affairs and politics from inside the continent. It is hosted by the Royal African Society and run in partnership with The World Peace Foundation and International Africa Institute.


“So, it is with pleasure that we can now announce that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed articles are: 1st place, winning £3000, Tatenda Chitagu (Zimbabwe); ‘Service delivery, accountability just a click away in Zimbabwean City’; 2nd place, winning £1000, Patrick Egwu Ejike (Nigeria); ‘Digital Tech Improving Access to Education in Nigeria’ and 3rd place, winning £500, Tinashe Mushakavanhu (Zimbabwe);‘Africa manufacturing its own hardware: BRCK – Internet in a box’.


“Haller would like to congratulate Tatenda, Patrick and Tinashe and thank everyone who entered this year. We would encourage all Sub Saharan Africans with an interest in journalism to enter next year’s competition. More details to follow on the rules and deadlines for next year’s prize”, the statement read.


The Haller Prize for Development Journalism, which is awarded to a writer able to explore insightfully the challenges and opportunities of digital technology in the development sector, was created in order to promote African-led discussions around development. The continent is changing and as issues facing the developing world grow more complex, journalism has become a critical medium in which to throw light on them and chronicle real change.



The Haller Foundation which is based in Kenya, was established in 2004 as a UK registered charity after the founder, Dr Rene Haller, a Swiss Environmentalist.
Past prize winners of the competition since its inception in 2014, have gone on to write articles for the UN; have been shortlisted for Thomson Reuters awards and been invited to attend African Development Bank conventions of climate change.


Patrick, who hails from Ezeagu local government area of Enugu state is a graduate of Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and has also, won the Best Student Journalist (2013 and 2014) in his department and Writer of The Year in the Faculty of Arts in 2014 during his undergraduate days. 




*Congrats Patrick!