The Executive Producer of Thru’ The Eyes Of An African (TTEOAA), Yvonne Bassey, who has become a reference point in the media promotion of travel and tourism in Africa through TV documentaries, has once again emerged winner of two Nigeria Media Merit Awards, (NMMA) 2016.
Clinching the award for Television Programme of the Year as well as for Television Reporter of The Year, the number of awards she has been honored with by NMMA comes to ten in total, dedicating her ninth award to her late driver, Mr. Ojo – who died in a ghastly motor accident in which Ms. Yvonne Bassey sustained a fractured neck injury.
While giving her acceptance speech, she took a few minutes to explain the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate accident. She said
“I am dedicating this award to my late driver Mr.Ojo who died in a ghastly motor accident of which I was a part, leaving me with a painful fractured neck up till date. We were on a mission to Cross River State to demand payment for a documentary job, duly executed for the Cross River State Carnival Commission, since 2013.
The Calabar Carnival documentary was commissioned by the Chairman, Mr Gabriel Onah, who approved the project, asking that I should execute it with my personal funds, after which I would be re-inbursed, along with the payment agreed upon.
But up till date, I have not been paid, despite the painful trauma and loss of life.`
Commenting on the dedication of her two most recent awards to her late driver, her legal counsel with the law firm of Festus Keyamo`s Chambers; Barrister Omonade Matthew, condemned what he described as the maltreatment and injustice which Nigerian Journalists are subjected to on a daily basis, saying that it is unacceptable in a civilized society.
Barrister Omonade Matthew, who is representing Yvonne Bassey in the court case against the Cross River State government, Cross River State Carnival Commission and Mr Gabriel Onah, noted that Cross River State, (inclusive of all state governments), should be honourable enough to fulfil their obligations in respect of contracts entered into by them.
The case has been adjourned till January 29th 2017 at the Calabar High Court.
