Award illustration

By Ngozi Onyeakusi—Finalists have emerged for the forthcoming National Spokespersons’ Awards (NSAwards) 2024 after the first round of the screening process by the jury, which is made up of communication scholars, PR practitioners, and media personalities.

 

The NSAwards is jointly organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, and Spokespersons’ Digest, to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of communication professionals and spokespersons across Nigeria.

 

The Chairman of the Awards Committee and former Chairman of NIPR, Lagos Chapter, Segun Mcmedal, said 62 finalists were shortlisted from 224 entries for 21 categories, including the most coveted Spokesperson of the Year Award.

 

The other categories are Outstanding Spokespersons in Financial Services, Technology, Corporate Communication, Political Communication, Multinational, International Relations, Civil Society, Legislature and Executive Arm.

 

Others are professional excellence in Crisis Management, Military arm, Security Service, Public Sector at Federal and State levels, Regulatory Compliance, Corporate Governance, Environmental Sustainability, Oil and Gas, and the Young Spokesperson of the Year.

 

In the first screening exercise, the award jury assessed the 224 nominees and selected the finalists based on key criteria, including objectivity, creativity, and effectiveness of the communication campaigns.

 

While some of the entries demonstrated originality and solutions to contemporary challenges, others provided evidence of the professionalism and effectiveness of their campaigns. The Jury that will determine or select the 21 category winners is chaired by Prof. Mabel Evwierhoma, with Abdulrahman Abdulraheem as Secretary.

 

Other award jury members include Prof. Anthony Igyuve, Prof. Saudat Abdulbaqi, Dr. Arthur Martins-Aginam, Kabir Abdulsalam, and Ishola Ayodele.

 

The award ceremony will be held during the National Spokespersons’ Summit in Abuja from the 25th to the 28th of March 2024, with the theme “Change Narrative, Change Society.”

 

Initiated by Spokespersons Digest in 2021, the award ceremony will be the fourth edition this year.

 

The list of the finalists is as follows:

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON IN FINANCIAL SERVICE

  1. Hakama Sidi Ali of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
  2. Temitope Adaramola of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB)
  3. Abdulazeez Abdullahi of Kaduna Electric

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON IN OIL AND GAS

  1. Olufemi Soyemi of NNPC
  2. Michael Adande of Shell
  3. Jossy Nwakocha of Indorama Eleme

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON IN TECHNOLOGY

  1. Reuben Muoka of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC)
  2. Hadiza Umar National Information Technology Agency (NITDA)
  3. Funso Aina of MTN Nigeria

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON IN POLITICAL COMMUNICATION

  1. Rafiu Ajakaye of kwara State
  2. Olawale Rasheed of Osun
  3. Muktar Gidado of Bauchi State Government

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON IN CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

  1. Michael Adande of Shell
  2. Prince Moses Duke George of Green Ville LNG
  3. Olufemi Soyemi of NNPC

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT

  1. Peter Afunaya of DSS
  2. Hadiza Umar of NITDA
  3. SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil of Bauchi Police Command

 

OUTSTANDING SPOKESPERSON AWARD – EXECUTIVE ARM

  1. Sanusi Bature Kano State Govt
  2. Olawale Rasheed Osun State Govt
  3. Abdulrahman Balogun of NIDCOM

 

OUTSTANDING SPOKESPERSON AWARD- LEGISLATURE

  1. Eseme Eyibo of the Senate
  2. Musa Kirishi of the House of Rep
  3. Nkem Nwaeke of Delta State House of Assembly

 

OUTSTANDING SPOKESPERSON AWARD- JUDICIARY

  1. Modupe Ogundoro Ministry of Justice
  2. Soji Oye of the National Judicial Council (NJC)
  3. Festus Akande of the Supreme Court

 

OUTSTANDING MILITARY SPOKESPERSON

  1. Gen. Tukur Gusau of Defence Headquarters
  2. AVM Gabwet Edward of the Nigerian Air Force
  3. Lt Col Abubakar Abdullahi of MNJTF

 

OUTSTANDING SECURITY SPOKESPERSON

  1. Abubakar Umar of NCOS
  2. Jonas Agwu of FRSC
  3. Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Nigeria Police

 

SPOKESPERSON GOLD AWARD – PUBLIC SECTOR (FEDERAL)

  1. Maryam Sanusi FERMA
  2. Okadike Chijioke of NPA
  3. Reuben Muoka of NCC

 

SPOKESPERSON GOLD AWARD – PUBLIC SECTOR (STATE)

  1. Uba Misili of Gombe State Government
  2. Charles Aniagwu of Delta state
  3. Courage Eboigbe of EIRS Edo

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON AWARD – CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION

  1. Kolawole Oluwadare of SERAP
  2. Samson Itiodo Yiaga of Africa

 

DISTINGUISHED SPOKESPERSON IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

  1. Sule Pauline of Great Green Wall
  2. Jossy Nwakocha of Indorama Eleme
  3. Okadike Chijioke Kingsley of Nigeria Port Authority (NPA)

 

EXCELLENCE IN REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

  1. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
  2. The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC)
  3. Green Ville LNG

 

EXCELLENCE IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

  1. Faithful Avokerie Hope-Ivbaze of FAAN
  2. Kwara State Government
  3. Kunle Akogun of Unilorin

 

MOST INNOVATIVE SPOKESPERSON AWARD – DIPLOMATIC/MULTINATIONAL

  1. Adewale Adebajo of British High Commission Lagos
  2. Abdulrahman Balogun of NIDCOM
  3. Michael Adande of Shell

 

EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

  1. Anthony Akuneme of NIS
  2. Abdulrahman Balogun of NIDCON
  3. Adewale Adebajo of the British High Commission

 

YOUNG SPOKESPERSON OF THE YEAR

  1. Stanley Olisa of Air peace
  2. Ndia Matthew of the AITEO Group
  3. Basheer Luqman Olarewaju SA to Hon. Muktar Shagaya

 

BEST SPOKESPERSON OF THE YEAR

  1. Funso Aina of MTN
  2. Abdullah Maiwada of Nigeria Customs
  3. Reuben Muoka of NCC