Bayelsa Media Awards Unveils Landmark ‘13:30 Edition’ to Celebrate State at 30
By Ebis Freeman, YENAGOA — The Bayelsa Media Awards (BMA) has announced plans for its 13th edition, tagged the “13:30 Edition,” in what organizers describe as the biggest and most symbolic celebration in the history of the awards.
The 2026 edition, scheduled to hold in Yenagoa, will commemorate three major milestones: the 13th anniversary of the Bayelsa Media Awards, the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State since its creation in 1996, and the 16th anniversary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which returns as the lead sponsor of the event.
Project Manager of the awards, Victor Binawari, said the upcoming edition goes beyond recognizing excellence in journalism and media practice, serving as a platform to celebrate Bayelsa’s development journey and the contributions of key institutions to national growth.
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“This is more than an awards event. It is a celebration of 30 years of Bayelsa, 16 years of NCDMB’s impact on Nigerian Content, and 13 years of BMA spotlighting excellence,” Binawari stated.
He further disclosed that DACHAJ Nigeria Limited has joined Sqilful Konseptz as a co-packaging partner for the prestigious event, a development expected to enhance the scale and quality of the programme.
Over the years, the Bayelsa Media Awards has grown into one of the region’s foremost platforms for recognizing outstanding contributions in journalism, broadcasting, digital media, public communication and related fields.
Organizers noted that this year’s edition is expected to provide increased visibility and recognition opportunities for media professionals across Bayelsa State and the wider Niger Delta region. The awards also continue to attract the attention of government institutions, corporate organizations and leading brands seeking to celebrate excellence in media practice.
The involvement of NCDMB as lead sponsor is expected to further strengthen the Oil and Gas categories, opening greater opportunities for media practitioners within the region to showcase impactful reporting and storytelling in the energy sector.
According to the organizers, the theme “13:30 Edition” reflects the shared journey of the awards and Bayelsa State, highlighting the progress recorded over the past three decades while celebrating the role of the media in promoting development and accountability.
Details regarding nomination procedures, award categories, venue and event date are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Stakeholders, media professionals and members of the public have been encouraged to follow official Bayelsa Media Awards communication channels for updates ahead of the landmark event.
