NSAwards: The Night Nigeria Honoured its Finest Communicators
By Kabir Abdulsalam
Last week, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, became the stage for celebrating a unique kind of excellence. Not athletic prowess or artistic brilliance, but something far more crucial in today’s world – excellence. The inaugural National Spokespersons Awards ceremony brought together the nation’s finest communicators to recognize their achievements.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) publishers of PRNigeria, Economics Confidential, and Spokesperson’s Digest, joined forces to host the National Spokespersons Awards, an event that transcended a mere ceremony. It was, in essence, a strategic investment in the future of powerful and effective communication.
One might ask, why celebrate spokespersons? The answer lies not in fleeting recognition, but in the lasting impact it creates and celebration of spokesmanship. While it serves as acknowledging and celebrating outstanding performance, it’s also serves a purpose far greater than handing out trophies, yet ignites a powerful cycle of motivation.
Similar to how the release of dopamine fuels feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, recognition of exceptional PR campaigns, dedicated efforts, and well-documented PR work is rewarded with excellence.
This, in turn, triggers a chain reaction within the communication field. Professionals are encouraged to push boundaries, to strive for even greater heights, and to constantly hone their skills.
The National Spokespersons Awards 2024 celebrate more than just individual achievements. They act as catalysts, inspiring others within the field of communication. Many practitioners saw their peers recognized for their impact, which ignited a powerful ripple effect of ambition. Aspiring communication professionals gain role models, while established PR experts are fueled to further refine their craft. The awards acknowledge the dedication and expertise these individuals bring to their roles.
The journey to the inaugural National Spokespersons Awards 2024 wasn’t without its challenges. It was traced back to November 2018, when the seeds of this event were first sown. The award-winning PR firm, IMPR, embarked on a collaborative effort with the institute to establish annual national public relations awards that would promote excellence in all spheres of Nigerian communication.
However, the path to realization wasn’t always smooth. Under the leadership of the then-president of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, the initiative encountered a setback. But the dream persisted.
A few years later, the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR made a move to collaborate with the IMPR for their 2020 edition of the Lagos PR Industry Gala, dubbed the LaPRIGA Awards that may have marked another milestone on the road to the National Spokespersons Awards.
The seeds of collaboration continued to bear fruit. I could recall a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR, Mr. Olusegun McMedal, to the Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Mallam Yushau Shuaib, in his Abuja office to solidify the partnership.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. McMedal emphasized that the event can be elaborated upon through an awards dinner. This, he believed, would not only boost professionalism but also encourage further investment in the PR and marketing communication fields.
While the LaPRIGA Awards were successful, the partnership eventually went dormant. However, the dream remained alive.
In December 2021, IMPR took the initiative by launching the maiden edition of The Spokesperson Communication Awards (SCA) with a focus on key issues and trends in publicity, strategic communication, and the public relations sector. The event saw a diverse range of PR agencies, organizations, and individuals walk away with awards across various categories.
The success of the SCA paved the way for a more ambitious endeavour. The CEO builds on the momentum, the second edition of the SCA was held in 2022 while the third edition boasted an even more prestigious gathering, with respected spokespersons from various agencies and ministries receiving recognition for their dedication and impact.
At the event, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, who served as the chairman of the occasion, took home the ‘Distinguished Fellow Award’. Dr. Sule Yau Sule, the current Chairman of the NIPR Membership Committee, presided over the jury panel.
The story doesn’t end there. At the third edition of the SCA, the current President of the Institute, Dr. Ike Neliaku, made an essential move. Following a historic deal with IMPR, the transition was initiated, which transformed the annual Spokespersons’ Communication Awards into the National Spokespersons’ Awards (NSA).
Interestingly, the president inagurates two committees to meticulously prepare for this year event, the highest honour ceremony within the Nigerian communication and PR industry. The jury committee diligently screened the entries, comprised of scholars, PR practitioners, and media personalities. From 224 entries, 60 finalists were shortlisted across 20 categories, including the coveted ‘Spokesperson of the Year Award’.
After months of planning and anticipation culminated last week with the inaugural National Spokespersons Awards (NSA) ceremony, held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. The event marked the end of a remarkable journey, a testament to perseverance and the unwavering belief in the importance of recognizing communication excellence.
The night belonged to the spokespersons, who had honed their craft and consistently delivered exceptional results. CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, successfully defended his title as the “Best Spokesperson of the Year” – a feat he achieved at the 2023 edition of the SCA. The competition was fierce, with Maiwada overcoming two other finalists to claim the top honour.
The event wasn’t just about crowning a single winner. It was a celebration of diverse achievements across the communication spectrum. From Hakama Sidi Ali of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, who bagged the “Distinguished Spokesperson in Financial Service” award, to Olufemi Soyemi of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, recognized as the “Distinguished Spokesperson in the Oil and Gas Sector,” the night honored a range of exceptional individuals.
The reach of the awards extended beyond the corporate world. Abdulrahman Balogun of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission received the “Excellence in International Relations” award, highlighting the critical role communication plays in fostering connections beyond national borders. Adewale Adebajo of the British High Commission, Lagos, was recognized for his innovative approach, taking home the “Most Innovative Spokesperson Award Diplomatic/Multinational.”
The impact transcended individual accolades. Governor, Alh. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, was acknowledged for his commitment to “Excellence in Corporate Governance.” Organizations like the Nigeria Customs Service were celebrated for their achievements in “Excellence in Regulatory Compliance.” while other respected Chief Press Secretary (CPS) of many state governor cart away the prestigious trophies. These awards served as a powerful reminder that effective communication is vital across all sectors, from public institutions to private companies.
Dr. Jossy Nwakocha of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals the energy sector in the room was palpable, not just from the excitement of the awards themselves, but also from the presence of a significant number of aspiring communication professionals.
Looking ahead, the NSA had become a trademark as permanent fixture in the Nigerian communication industry. The organizers have expressed their commitment to making this an annual event, potentially expanding the categories and scope to encompass a wider range of communication expertise.
In his speech, Neliaku said: “Let me congratulate the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Image Merchants Promotion Limited, Mallam Yushau Shuaib, for organizing this beautiful and colourful event to reward our spokespersons who are carving a niche for themselves by doing excellent jobs for their principals and organisations”.
While commenting on the awards, Mal. Shuaib explained that the award ceremony was organized to celebrate high-flying Nigerian spokespersons whose brilliant work is helping to redefine the job of public relations, reputation management, and image branding in the country.
“I wish to appreciate the efforts of the Awards Jury Team, who did a fantastic job of assessing and selecting the deserving finalists and eventual winners”, he said.
