In recognition of his contributions to the journalism profession, the publisher of Neptune Prime online newspaper, Hassan Gimba, has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree (Honoris Causa) in Creative Writing and Journalism by the African American University, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin.
Mr Gimba was conferred with the honour alongside 25 other awardees at the weekend during the university’s 2020 awards ceremony held at Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Gimba, a native of Fika in Yobe State, is the first in his state to receive such award.
Speaking with Neptune Prime reporter at the occasion, the publisher expressed his pleasure over the award, saying that the recognition gave credence to the saying that not all efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated.
He said: “I am elated to be honoured today. Normally, these awards, people buy them. So when they told me I would be given an award, the first thing I told them was that I don’t have money.
“I know how people go out of their ways to get such awards. But they told me, ‘No, you are not going to give a kobo, it is based on your achievements in journalism’.
“So, I feel honoured and I feel that all the efforts that I have been doing, though not for rewards, have gotten me a reward.”
Mr Gimba, who is also a columnist with Blueprint Newspapers, disclosed that the recognition was a springboard for him to continue on the path he has chosen for himself.
“Well, at my age, there is nothing more that I have an ambition for, I will continue doing what I have been doing.
“This award just goes to strengthen me to continue to do what I have been doing and to remain on the path.
“This is because if I had a doubt that what I have been doing may not have been known or seen by people or recognized, now I know it’s not so!
“So, I will continue with what I have been doing, nothing more, just what I have been doing,” he emphasised.
Also speaking at the event, the Chancellor and Founder of the University, Prof. Benjamin Ezeohagwu described Mr Gimba as a journalist of repute who the faculty members of the university had monitored over the years.
According to Mr Ezeohagwu, by virtue of his contributions to Nigeria and journalism, African American University has found Mr Gimba worthy to be awarded and conferred with the PhD honorary degree.
“Malam Hassan Gimba is a great journalist, and having gone through his works and contributions on daily basis for the past six months, I realised am dealing with a great Nigerian journalist,” he added.
He, therefore, described Mr Gimba as a model to the young generation of journalists.
On his part, a close friend of the awardee, Prof. Muhammad Khalid Othman, who was at the event, described the award as well-deserving, saying that the awardee had encouraged numerous individuals, including himself, to find their feet in journalism.
“This award is based on recognition, this is because Malam Hassan is someone who is a social crusader, who writes about society, he wants modern society, he wants the good of this nation and he has even been doing more with his own media outfit, Neptune Prime.
“For him to be recognised by a university, I think it is to say that the university watches what happens and recognises those who deserved to be recognized,” Mr Othman said.
Felicitating with the awardee, a former Deputy Director at the Federal Capital Territory Authority, FCTA, Baba Goni-Mustapha, described the award as a rare and prestigious honour bestowed on Mr Gimba, in recognition of his highly intellectual, incisive, progressive and balanced journalism in this country.
In a direct message sent to Mr Gimba, the deputy director wrote: “You have persistently and passionately been re-echoing that our failure as a nation is largely due to lack of purposeful and visionary leadership which I share with you and indeed by any progressive mind.
“When most journalists in this country have compromised their roles as watchdogs and voices for the people due to greed, you are amongst the few that shunned bootlicking and praise-singing of our leaders but continue to stick to your role as the conscience of the people.
“I am once more proud of you today for the honour conferred upon you and may the Almighty Allah continue to bless, protect and guide you in shaping the minds of Nigerians towards making our great country functional and a responsible one”.
 in Creative Writing and Journalism by the African American University, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin.){kind=link}