Ibrahim Hussain Ovi, former chief of business correspondents at Dhaka Tribune and currently with Jago News, has won the first prize in the online category of the "ERF-Pran Media Award 2024" for his report on Bangladesh’s agricultural sector.
The award ceremony was held Tuesday at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) office in the capital.
Ovi was awarded for his article titled "Limitless Potential in Agricultural Product Exports, Achievements Limited" published on September 14.
Sheikh Bashiruddin, Commerce Adviser to the interim government, was present as the chief guest, while Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman of Pran-RFL Group, was guest of honour.
This year, awards were given for the best reports on different aspects of the agriculture sector, including modern farming and sustainable marketing systems, quality agricultural product production, agro-processing, challenges, progress, potential, new investments, job creation, and exports.
The awards were distributed across three categories: print, online, and television.
In print category, Ziadul Islam, senior reporter of Dainik Amader Shomoy, and Alamgir Hossain, business editor of Shomoyer Alo, jointly took first place.
In online category, Ovi from Jago News claimed first place, while Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, senior reporter of Daily Jugantor, secured second place.
In the Television Category, the first prize was awarded to Touhid Hossain Papon, senior reporter of Jamuna Television.
Ovi had previously won the Best Reporting Award in 2017 from the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) for his investigation into the garment industry, titled "What Does Bangladesh Get for a $42 Shirt? $3.30."
He also received the BGMEA-BUFT Journalism Fellowship in 2015 for various reports on the garment sector.
Additionally, in 2018, he won the PIB-a2i Mass Media Award for his investigative report, "Freelancers Turn Bangladesh into a Hub for ICT Outsourcing."
This year, Ovi was also honored with the BCCCI-ERF Journalism Award for his investigative report on how Bangladesh is producing high-quality non-cotton products through technology adoption.
Ovi holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Dhaka.
He began his journalism career in 2009 at Jamuna Television and has since reported for the English dailies The Daily Sun and Dhaka Tribune.
Before working at Dhaka Tribune, he was also chief reporter and planning editor at Business Post.
Currently, he serves as chief reporter at Jagonews24.com.
