Uncle Peter Akinbo don shine for the journalism world, no be small! E just collect 2025 Diamond Awards for Media Excellence for Sports Writing category, and na wetin make am burst our brain.

According to our guy, him don dey do journalism since 2022. In fact, na just over three years but the guy don enter the big leagues. Last year, e don follow contest for DAME and NMMA, and him carry runner-up prize. For 2024, e still land another runner-up at AIPS International Sports Writing Awards. But this 2025, na him time to chop award!

But wetin really carry am this award? Na him story wey dem title “From Pain to Gain: After Attempting Suicide, Blind Judokas Find New Lives in Sports.” The story hit different, my people! E reach people heart, and na him first major award within journalism.

When dem call am for the award, e no even dey expect! As dem dey announce names for runners-up, him dey busy wonder if na him turn go come. When dem finally call am, him just shout, “Finally! Finally!” Na the moment wey him don dey wait for.

Make we talk about how e take write that story. E say e get source wey bring the gist to am. E dey work hard to establish sources, no be joke. He no dey think about award at all, just want make people sabi the story of these jodokas and their struggles. E don visit dem scatter for different times just to collect all the information. Can you imagine? Him dey finish the story by 1 am on Sunday and still submit am by 6 am. That na serious dedication!

But abeg, write-up no easy, sha! Time na serious wahala. E dey file like three to five stories daily, so balancing all the interviews and visits fit give person headache. Trust me, building relationship with the athletes wey don see serious wahala no be play. E need emotional intelligence make dem feel safe to talk.

Peter also talk about how writing this story gree him know how e don grow as journalist—him don learn to write faster and spot stories wey fit touch people’s heart. Nobody dey talk only about sports again; na about human side of sports them dey yarn.

For this journey, support from im colleagues also play key role. Dem guide am well and handle other workloads wey allow am focus on the jodokas. Plus, mentorship from top editors like Tana Aiyejina and Ebenezer Bajela help boost im confidence. Juliet Noah dey help with interview transcriptions, too. Na family support matter, no be small!

As e dey bask for this win, him talk say him confidence don rise. Awards dey give person validation and now, people dey recognize am for the journalism sector. Im LinkedIn don dey buzz since after the announcement.

As a motivational speaker, he don drop tips for young journalists: them fit shine if dem blend different angles for stories. Sports na no be just about play—na social issues and human experiences dey happen on top the mat. Fuel your storytelling to the brim, he says, and rewards go follow.

In final break down, from that first blind athlete wey talk to am, Peter know say this story no be ordinary. Na special story, and E no wan just tell am anyhow. Punch newspaper, where he dey work, also shape his success. Dem high standard and support system don help to make this win a reality.