Standard reporter bags prestigious business award

By Ernest Ndunda

Standard Correspondent

Phillip Mwakio of the Standard Group won Diageo Tourism Feature for 2010 at a ceremony in London on Thursday night.

Phillip Mwakio

Mwakio had submitted a feature ‘Land Grabbing: The Plunder of Public Beaches’, which saw him clinch the prestigious Africa Business Reporting Award. In its seventh year, the awards are a celebration of journalists and news organisations that have gone the extra mile to promote the African continent. This year, a record 770 entries were received, demonstrating increased reporting and competition in these awards. Winners from the eleven categories came from nine different countries, including winner of ‘Media of the Year’ award, which went to Business Day from Nigeria. Peter Guest was named the ‘Journalist of the Year’.

"The days of Africa being seen as a place where potential is yet to be realised, or as a destination for aid, must be put behind us. The reality today is that Africa is a viable business destination with a large and mainly untapped market, offering excellent investment returns and diverse opportunities for business. That’s the untold story of Africa, and the media has an obligation to bring it to wider audiences," said Ms Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice-President of the World Bank Group, Africa Region, who delivered the keynote address.

"Too often, the only reports we see and hear of Africa here in the UK are of bad news. Yet Africa’s rich culture and growing economy is a good news story for those willing to look beyond the headlines," Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development, Stephen O’Brien said.