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INFORMED COMMENTARY
Five times a winner
Azubuike Ishiekwene, Winner, INFORMED COMMENTARY, at the 17th DAME
 In his 19 year career as a journalist, Azubuike Ishiekwene has earned the reputation of being one of Nigeria's most prolific columnists. Every Tuesday in the Punch, he takes readers through various topics of national concern.
One of the articles he wrote, “Millionaires knocking on hell's gate”, published in the August 21, 2007 edition of his paper was adjudged the best in the Informed Commentary category in this year's award.
Judges commended him for his insight as the story had a ring of prophecy around it. In the article, Azu as he is fondly called, warned that the gold rush to become millionaires through investment in stocks would bring us knocking on hell's gate sooner than later. With empirical facts, he buttressed his points to show that the kind of business, companies, particularly banks, are doing could not have made them to turn in such fantastic profits they are declaring. The results of what he wrote then are glaring for everybody to see now.
Born on February 19, 1965, Azu attended Gaskiya College, Cardoso and Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School, thereafter proceeding to the University of Lagos to read Mass Communication.
He joined Punch in 1989 and has since remained there. He has served at various times, Head, Sunday desk, features editor, deputy editor, editor, Saturday Punch and editor of the daily. He was appointed controller, publications in October 2006 and was promoted executive director, publications three months later.
A member of the judging panel of the CNN/Multichioce African journalist award, he is a part time lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
This is his fifth DAME award in the Informed Commentary category having won it in 1993, 2002, 2004 and 2006. He joins Olukayode Thomas as the only two individuals in the history of the award to have won five DAME awards in a particular category. Thomas has won the Sport Reporting category five times.
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