SENSITIVE ERIC DUMO

Winner, DEVELOPMENT REPORTING, AT THE 24TH DAME

Eric Dumo’s winning work is a sensitive account of how man’s strive to conquer the forces of nature sometimes brings unintended consequences. It is the story of how mining activities are disturbing the rustic calm of Odeda. From impairing their farming activities, to displacing pupils from attending school, and weakening the foundations of their homes, life in Odeda has taken a new turn. It is a call to state authorities to show better sensitivity to the plight of the common folk even in the face of legitimate drive to exploit nature for commercial gain. It is a call for better regulation and monitoring of mining activities. Dumo studied mass communication and sociology, the former at the Yaba College of Technology, the latter at the University of Lagos.

Starting out as a news editor at The Week Magazine in 2008, he crossed over to Scroll Magazine where he served as a senior correspondent before berthing at the Punch in 2014 as a correspondent.