Albert Baudouin Twizeyimana from Syfia Grands Lacs press agency Tuesday scooped the first prize in a journalism competition organised countrywide last year by the European Commission delegation.

16 journalists among 21 who had submitted their items were rewarded in a ceremony that took place in Kigali, and competitors included both print and broadcast reporters who had to produce articles relating to the European Union’s activities to promote development in the country.

Twizeyimana’s article under the titre "Uni par et pour l’eau potable” (united by and for clean water), earned him a laptop and a printer.

His article was published in Syfia Grands Lacs press agency in November last year and reproduced by a number of local media houses.

The article explores how two villages in Eastern Province were brought together by a clean water project that was executed under the support of the European Union.

"There is a lot of firmness in our process of pitching and producing an article,” explained a happy Twizeyimana in an interview after receiving his prize.

He said the article took him a lot of time and concentration as he was trying to make it more objective, more pertinent and original.

Syfia Grands Lacs press agency had three of its reporters awarded, the two others being Gloria Umutoni and Fulgence Niyonagize. 

Second on the list of winners was Jabo Jean Marie who was also awarded a laptop and a printer for his audio show about rural development. His show was broadcast on different local radio stations.

The head of the European Commission delegation, David Macrae, said that such initiatives are very important in encouraging good and professional reporting.

"We will try our best to make this an annual event,” he promised as he congratulated winners.

The prizes handed out to winners are said to have cost around $ 8,000 included laptops, printers, digital cameras, MP3 players and flash drives among others.

Ends