The Spokespersons Digest, a publication of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, focuses on key issues and trends on publicity, and strategic communication in the public relations sector.
Speaking at the event, at Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) expressed the belief that the Spokesperson’s Communication Awards (SCA) would promote best practices in the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria and beyond.
Represented by Dr. Ike Neliaku, a Council Member and Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of NIPR at Institute, . Sirajo noted that recognizing the excellent contributions of PR practitioners will go a long way to encourage and challenge the winners to be more dedicated and committed to adhering to the best PR practice.
‘This initiative of the Spokesperson’s Digest is in tune with of NIPR vision to promote PR practices endorsed by law and enhance the ability, status of our members as professional practitioners,” he noted.
The Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchants Promotion, Mallam Yushau Shuaib said the SCA recognizes the most outstanding public relations contributions and communications strategies.
‘It also acknowledges most successful campaigns, initiatives, people and teams in the communication, PR and Integrated marketing Communication industry,” he added.
Announcing the winners, the Chairman of the Panel of Judges, Dr. Sule Yau Sule, said the award process was a product of a rigorous, painstaking and highly competitive exercise by a committee of seasoned communication scholars, PR specialists and public communicators.
He said the panel members included Dr. Saudat Baki of the University of Ilorin; Mr. Peter Oyeneye, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; Mallam Kabir Alabi Garba, an Editor with the Guardian Newspaper; and Mrs
Josie Mudathir, a seasoned public communicator.
Other members included Mr. Samuel Adeyemi, a quintessential media strategist; Mr. Inyene Ibanga, an expert in digital communication and Editor TechDigest; Mr. Cashmir Chyna, a political communicator and Mr Kabir Olanrewaju of the Spokespersons Digest is the secretary of the panel.
Dr Sule, said 113 entries were received while 35 organisations were shortlisted as finalists and 18 others as finalists for communication agencies.
He said the 12 categories of the awards had winners from different
Organisations and individuals while 9 communication firms were also identified as best agencies of the year 2020 in the respective categories.
Nine PR agencies bagged different categories of the awards. They are CMC Connect for Media Relations; Brooks and Blakes for Press release, Red Gecko for Community Relations and, TPT International for Corporate Social Responsibly (CSR)
Others include Freshminds for Employee Relations, Cutting Edge Communication for crisis communications, Re-Ignite Public Affairs for Public Affairs category, Red Media for Social media and Direct Contact Communication for Event management category.
Meanwhile, organisations in the public and private sectors that implemented result-oriented and outstanding communication strategies also bagged different categories of the award.
They include Airpeace and Dangote who jointly won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category after garnering equal votes from the judges. Other winners are the National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) for Media Relations category; Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for Press Release, and National Communication Commission (NCC) for social media
The rest are the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for Community Relations, the National Information
Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for Employee Relations category, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for Crisis Communication and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for public Affairs.
The Lagos and Abuja Chapters of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) bag awards for the best Event Management and Chapter respectively.
Meanwhile, Mr Ishola Ayodele and Advanced Management Academy (AMA) bag Scholar of the Year and Best Knowledge Development Hub categories of the Awards respectively.
During the SCA event which coincided with the 3rd Security and Emergency Management Award (SAEMA) 2021, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Defence Headquarters, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyer was honoured with the “Media Friendly Personality” of the year award at.
The senior military officer was conferred with the honour for demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities, amiability and a high sense of responsibility in discharging his duty.
“Within the short period of his tenure, he enhanced media relations activities by attending to press inquiries most times even in the face of occasional provocations. He also organized media workshops and retreats to further enhance mutual and beneficial relationships,” the citation for his award said.
Upon assuming duty in July, Sawyer promised to run an open-door policy to fast track information needed by
Some gallant officers of the Nigerian military, the Police and civil defence were also honoured for the SAEMAs.
Some security officers received different categories of SAEMA awards for demonstrating gallantry and doggedness in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, among others.
Lieutenant Colonel Ponfa Andrew Wuyep of the Nigerian Army bagged the “Military Officer of the Year” award for leading his troop on successful counter-insurgency operations in Maiduguri and its environs.
Inspector Abimaje Isaiah of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) won the “Security Officer of the Year” for single-handedly apprehending scores of kidnappers along Abuja -Kaduna Highway.
Flight lieutenant Abayomi Dairo bagged gallantry award for shelling bandits’ camps in the North-west before his aircraft came under heavy fire by bandits. He successfully ejected from the aircraft and navigate to safety.
Saminu Audu, a Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) Maiduguri, received the “Volunteer Group” Award for collaborating with the Nigerian troops in the arrests of informants and elimination of scores of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.
Other awardees at the event included ASP Mariam Yusuf of the Nigeria Police who won the “Crisis Communicator” award; Mrs Abimbola Animashawun of the Nigerian Customs Services, NCS as “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” and Sifon Essien of TVC as the Humanitarian Journalist of the Year.
In addition, NDLEA bagged an award on Public Information; Kano State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service on Crime Prevention; Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Diligent Investigation; Nigerian Navy on Community Service; Defence Headquarters on Civil-Military Relations, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Emergency Management.
Others are the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) for Training Institute, Lagos Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for Cybercrime Prevention and National Commission for Refugees for Humanitarian Services.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Sawyerr bagged Media Friendly Personality of the Year.
In his remarks, Mallam Yushau Shuaib, the Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchants said SAEMA event, an initiative of Emergency Digest was instituted in 2019 to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contribution to the security, peace and development of Nigeria by the personnel in the Nigerian military, security, intelligence and response agencies.
Spokesperson’s Digest
