Port Harcourt, Rivers State – The Niger Delta region is gearing up for the prestigious Niger Delta Advancement Awards (NDAA) 8.0, with the main event scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Port Harcourt. Hosted by Juvenis Magazine/TV, the awards celebrate outstanding achievements across multiple sectors, drawing participants and nominees from the nine states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
This year's edition emphasizes media excellence, innovation, and community impact, with public voting playing a key role in determining winners. Alexa News Network Limited (Alexa.ng) is an official media partner, ensuring extensive coverage to promote credible storytelling, regional development, and visibility for the nominees' contributions.
The Best News Website/Blog category features 15 exceptional platforms that have distinguished themselves through timely reporting, investigative journalism, community engagement, and digital innovation. These sites serve as vital sources of information, holding power to account and highlighting local stories in an era of rapid digital transformation.
Here are detailed profiles of the nominees:
1. Advocate.Ng (Delta)
Advocate.Ng is a prominent Delta State-focused news platform linked to the Advocate Broadcasting Network, delivering breaking news, politics, and community stories with a commitment to advocacy and truth.
2. OtownGist.Com (Imo)
OtownGist.Com, based in Owerri, is a dynamic entertainment and news portal covering Imo State politics, events, and lifestyle. Known for in-depth reports on governance, security, and cultural revival, it has become a go-to source for Imo residents seeking balanced, timely updates.
3. NigerianObserverNews.Com (Edo)
The online edition of the historic Nigerian Observer, established in 1968, NigerianObserverNews.Com provides comprehensive coverage of Edo State affairs, including politics, health outbreaks like Lassa fever, and governance. As a government-owned platform, it maintains a reputation for reliable, in-depth reporting on regional issues.
4. AsabaMetro.Com (Delta)
AsabaMetro.Com is a leading independent news site dedicated to Delta State, offering sharp coverage of politics, government activities, education, and security. It frequently features exclusive stories on infrastructure, health initiatives, and community development in Asaba and beyond.
5. TheTideNewsonline.Com (Rivers)
The digital arm of The Tide Newspaper, published by the Rivers State Government, TheTideNewsonline.Com delivers authoritative news on Rivers politics, development projects, women's issues, and security. It upholds a commitment to truthful reporting with a focus on public enlightenment.
6. NewsNow.Com.Ng (Akwa Ibom)
While sharing a name with an aggregator, this Akwa Ibom-specific platform aggregates and reports local news, emphasizing state governance, security, and events, contributing to informed public discourse in the region.
7. CrossRiverWatch.Com (Cross River)
CrossRiverWatch.Com is a foremost investigative journalism outlet in Cross River State, renowned for fearless reporting on politics, governance, health, and human rights. It has earned accolades for exposing issues and promoting accountability in Calabar and surrounding areas.
8. NationalAmbassadorNgr.Com (Abia)
NationalAmbassadorNgr.Com focuses on Abia State news, politics, and economic developments, including government initiatives on exports, public service modernization, and diaspora engagement. It serves as a bridge for national and local stories affecting Abia residents.
9. TheHopeNewspaper.Com (Ondo)
Owned by Owena Press Limited, TheHopeNewspaper.Com is Ondo's trusted source for community affairs, politics, health schemes like Abiyamo, and security updates. It provides insightful coverage that supports informed citizenship in the state.
10. ThePointersNewsonline.Com (Delta)
ThePointersNewsonline.Com offers pointed, detailed reporting on Delta State issues, including education resumption, health sector developments, youth council activities, and crime prevention initiatives, making it a sharp voice in regional journalism.
11. ImoTrumpeta.Com (Imo)
ImoTrumpeta.Com is a bold, community-driven newspaper site covering Imo politics, cultural events, and social issues with unfiltered commentary. It features press releases, opinion pieces, and updates on party activities, resonating strongly with Imo audiences.
12. FirstNewsonline.Ng (Rivers)
FirstNewsonline.Ng (associated with First Daily Media) provides fresh, breaking news on Rivers State governance, oil sector developments, and national impacts, positioning itself as a timely resource for readers seeking first-hand insights.
13. TheMail.Com.Ng (Akwa Ibom)
TheMail.Com.Ng delivers investigative and feature stories on Akwa Ibom health, climate action, transparency, and family planning. It highlights grassroots issues like TB treatment access and education challenges, advocating for policy improvements.
14. TheRelianceNewspaper.Com.Ng (Edo)
A reliable Edo-based platform focusing on state news, politics, and development, contributing to public awareness and discourse in the region.
15. NigerDeltaHeraldngr.Com (Bayelsa)
NigerDeltaHeraldngr.Com, a weekly tabloid turned digital, covers Bayelsa governance, power projects, political shifts, and community concerns with a motto of truth prevailing, serving as an educational and informative voice for the Niger Delta.
These platforms exemplify the power of digital media in fostering transparency, community empowerment, and regional unity. The winner, decided by votes and expert review, will be announced at the February 8 event, celebrating the best in online journalism.
Alexa News Network Limited's partnership ensures these stories reach wider audiences, inspiring continued excellence in Niger Delta media.
