Olukayode Thomas

Sports reporter, Nigeria

Presentation How David defeated Goliath in court - Play the Game 2009 (Pdf.) Olukayode Abimbola THOMAS, a native of Offa, Kwara State, was born on May 26 1968, in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. He read Sociology at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Career: Thomas began his journalism career with "The Guardian" Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria in May 1996, as a Test Candidate. He was employed as a Staff Reporter October 1, 1996.

He resigned from "The Guardian" in November 1998. He didn't practice journalism for six months. He had a brief stint with "ThisDay" Newspapers between May and June 1999. Thomas joined "The Comet" Newspapers June 1999 as a Senior Reporter III on the Sunday Desk. He resigned form "The Comet" Newspapers March 8, 2001. He freelanced for "The Gaurdian" Newspapers April and May 2001. He stopped reporting for ten months. Thomas joined "The Guardian" Newspapers in April 2002. He is a senior Reporter on the Sports and Saturday Desk. Thomas who is widely travelled, especially in Europe and Africa, is single. His hobbies includes reading, writing, travelling and photography. He attended the 2000 play the game conference. Between May 1996 and today, Thomas has been adjuged:

1. The Best School Sports Writers by AIONIAN Group of Schools, 1996

2. The Best Athletics Reporter in Nigeria for the 1997 Mobil Track and Field Championship.

3. The Best School Sports Writers by AIONIAN Group of Schools 1998

4. CNN International African Journalists of the Year (for Sports Writing) March 1998.

5. The Best Sports Writer in Nigeria By DAME in 1998.

6. The Best SPorts Writer in Nigeria (Print) by the National Executive of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) July 1999.

7. Th Best Travel and Tourism Writer in Nigeria by Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) November 1999.

8. Certificate of Commendation from NMMA in 1999 for Cecil Kings Memorial Prize for Print Journalist of the Year.

9. Certificate of Commendation from NMMA in 1999 for Abubakar Imam Features Writer of the Year November 1999.

10. Certificate of Commendation from NMMA in 1999 for Bashorun Abiola's Prize for Sports Writer of the Year.

11. CNN International African Journalist of the Year (for Sports Writing March 2000.

12. The Best Sports Writer in Nigeria by DAME, September 2000.

13. The Best Travel and Tourism Writer by NMMA December 2000

14. Bashorun Abiola's Prize for Sports Writer of the year December 2000

15. Certificate of Commendation from NMMA for Cecil Kings' Memorial Prize for the Print Journalist of the Year December 2000

16. Certificate of Commendation from NMMA for Earnest Okoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year 2001.

17. Certificate of Commendation from NMMA for Guardian Newspaper's prize for Investigative Reporter of the Year 2001.

18. Certificate of Commendation from NMMA for Travel and Tourism Reporter of the Year 2001.

19. Certificate of Commendation from DAME as runners-up in Sport Reporting 2001.

20. Winner of Bashorun M. K. O Abiola Prize for Best Sports Writer by NMMA 2001.

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