By Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of New Americans Magazine, based in Columbus, Ohio, United States, Mr. Deba Uwadiae, an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has won the Nigerian Press Council’s Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award in the Diaspora category, according to ThelensNG.
The award recognises Uwadiae’s contributions to journalism and his commitment to amplifying the voices of Nigerians and immigrant communities abroad.
The award was presented at the Nigerian Press Council Summit and Excellence Awards 2026, held in Abuja on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Uwadiae was represented at the ceremony by his niece, Esosa Marvel Eghobamien, who received the award on his behalf.
A graduate of NIJ and Yaba College of Technology, Uwadiae also received professional training at the Ohio Broadcasting School in the United States. His career, spanning more than three decades, has focused on public-interest journalism, community development, and the documentation of immigrant experiences.
The award recognises his sustained efforts to tell the stories of Nigerians and other immigrant communities in the United States, highlighting their resilience, cultural identities, professional achievements, civic engagement, and contributions to their host communities.
In an acknowledgement letter addressed to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Press Council, Uwadiae expressed gratitude to the Council’s Award Selection Committee for the recognition.
He described the nomination and award as an honour while reaffirming his commitment to documenting the experiences of Nigerians and immigrants in Columbus, Ohio, and across the diaspora.
Uwadiae noted that the stories he covers reflect themes of resilience, identity, community and contribution, adding that he was humbled that the Council considered his work worthy of the distinction.
He also expressed his commitment to promoting ethical journalism and strengthening ties between the Nigerian media community and journalists serving Nigerian and African communities abroad.
“I look forward to the continued advancement of ethical journalism and the strengthening of ties between the Nigerian media community and those of us serving abroad,” he stated.
Building a platform for immigrant voices
Uwadiae is the founder and publisher of New Americans Magazine, which was established in 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. The publication, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, was created to document the lives, achievements, and civic contributions of immigrants and other New Americans across Ohio.
What began as a small community newsletter has developed into a media platform with statewide and national reach, serving immigrant families, policymakers, and community organisations. Through its daily online publication, WhatsApp broadcast network and partnerships with other media platforms, the magazine provides information and visibility for communities whose experiences are often underrepresented in mainstream media.
Its coverage spans immigrant entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, civic participation, cultural preservation, and the challenges and opportunities associated with settling and building lives in the United States.
Beyond journalism, Uwadiae has remained actively involved in community development and media education. He coordinates the New Americans Book Fair, an annual event celebrating immigrant authors and cultural expression, and leads youth media literacy programmes aimed at equipping young people with the skills to engage critically with information.
He also serves as Coordinating Committee Chairman of the National Association of Political Correspondents (NAPOC). His professional affiliations include the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association and the Ohio Writers’ Association.
In recognition of his community service, Uwadiae was recently honoured as a New American Leadership Academy Champion by the City of Columbus Department of Neighbourhoods.
A career spanning journalism, publishing, and authorship
Uwadiae’s professional journey extends beyond community publishing. He has authored several books documenting immigration, aviation, and Nigerian political and media history.
His books include The Immigrant on Columbus Way and Coming to America: Early Life in America and Citizenship. He also authored Aviation Communication Practice (2000) and 80 Years of Aviation in Nigeria (2005).
He is a co-author of Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 Debacle: Reporters’ Account (2022) and The Vanguard Chronology: 40 Years of Nigeria’s Leading Tabloid (2026), works that contribute to the documentation of Nigeria’s political and journalistic history.
His experience in journalism and publishing has also been complemented by an interest in sports and community participation. Uwadiae founded the Annual Lagos Airport Marathon, which ran from 2008 to 2010, bringing together his interest in marathon running and event organisation.
The Nigerian Press Council award adds to the recognition of a career devoted to journalism, media development, and community service across Nigeria and the United States.
For Uwadiae, the honour also highlights the importance of diaspora journalism in connecting communities across national boundaries, preserving cultural identity, and ensuring that the experiences and contributions of Nigerians abroad remain part of the broader national conversation.
The veteran journalist’s work through New Americans Magazine continues to amplify immigrant voices while strengthening the links between Nigerian journalism and community storytelling in the United States.
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