The former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Former Information Minister, Profesor Jerry Gana, the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alh. Mohammed Idris Malagi; Governors of Kwara and Borno States, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Prof. Babagana Zulum; and others, have been honored with the prestigious ‘Diamond Anniversary Awards’ instituted by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, in commemoration of its 60th Anniversary.
The Diamond Anniversary Dinner and Awards, which marked the conclusion of the NIPR’s 60th-anniversary celebration, featured various categories, including Life Time Awards, Ambassadors of Brands Nigeria and Awards for Excellence in Professional Service and Professional Compliance.
Gowon was bestowed with the “Diamond Icon of National Integration” award, Jerry Gana with the Diamond Icon of Good Governance, Dame Patience Jonathan got the “Diamond Icon of Women Empowerment” while Idris Malagi was bestowed with the Diamond Prize for Excellence in Strategic Communication.
The Chairman and Managing Director of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Dr Sule Yau Sule and Mallam Yushau A Shuaib were also bestowed with Awards of Excellence.
Image Merchants Promotion Limited is the publisher of PRNigeria, Spokespersons Digest and Economic Confidential, among other titles.
Spokespersons of security services, including Dr. Peter Afunanya of the Department of State Service (DSS) and Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) were among those who received the “Diamond Award for Excellence in Professional Service”.
While the Kwara State helmsman bagged the “Diamond Prize for Excellence in Enterprise Leadership”, his Borno counterpart carted away the “Diamond Prize for Excellence in Transformative Leadership”.
Among other eminent Nigerians who also bagged the NIPR Diamond Prize are Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State (Diamond Prize for Excellence in Service Delivery); Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State (Diamond Prize for Excellence in Innovative Leadership); Bar. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, (Diamond Prize for Excellence in Service Delivery); Chief Allen Onyema, Chairman/CEO of Air Peace Limited (Diamond Prize for Excellence in the Promotion of Brand Nigeria); and Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Customs (Diamond Prize for Exceptional Performance in Public Office).
Aside from the Diamond Prizes, other NIPR Diamond Anniversary Award categories include the Diamond Lifetime Award, Diamond Ambassadors of Brand Nigeria, Diamond Award for Excellence in Professional Service, and Excellence in Professional Compliance.
Alh. Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, the immediate-past NIPR President; Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade (rtd), a former Director of Defence Information, DDI; Mrs. Nkechi Alli-Balogun; CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (rtd); and CGC Bashir Adeniyi were among the 58 distinguished NIPR Fellows who bagged the “Diamond Lifetime Award”.
The duo of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), a former Nigerian Head-of-State, and Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, erstwhile First Lady, were also honoured at the NIPR anniversary dinner celebration.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Former NIPR Presidents and Chairmen of Council
1. Dr. Sam Epelle, fnipr, (1963-1968)
2. Chief Kanu Offonry, fnipr, (1968-1972)
3. Tonye Willie Harry, fnipr, (1972-1976)
4. Alhaji Ikhaz Yakubu, fnipr, (1976-1980)
5. Chief Bob Ogbuagu, fnipr, (1980-1984)
6. Chief Alex Akinyele, fnipr, (1984- 1988)
7. Mazi Mike Okereke, fnipr (1988 -1993)
8. Alhaji Sabo Mohammed, fnipr, (1993-1998)
9. Chief Jibade Oyekan, fnipr, (1998-2001)
10. Amaopusenibo Sof ri Bobo Brown, fnipr (2001-2005)
11. Prof. Nwosu, fnipr, (2005-2009)
12. Alhaji Mohammed A. Abdullahi, fnipr (2009-2013)
13. Prof. Rotimi Oladele, fnipra (2013-2018)
14. Malam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, fnipra (2018-2023)
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Former NIPR Vice Presidents and Vice Chairmen of Council
15. Alhaji Mohammed Awal Haruna, fnipr (2001-2003)
16. Alhaji Mohammed Usman Dantijo, fnipra (2003-2005)
17. Dr. Tyotom Keghku, fnipr (2005-2007)
18. Dr Dennis Ekemezie, fnipr (2011-2013)
19 Mr Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, fnipr (2013-2018
Last Secretary General
20. Chief Dr. Fassy Adetokunboh Olore Yusuf, fnipr
Notable Former Registrars
21. Dr. Adekunle Salu, fnipra
22. Prof. Mustapha Mallam, fnipr
Longest Surviving Member of NIPR
23. High Chief, lyom, Nonye Josephine Ezeanyaeche (Odueze)
Notable Elders
24. Brig. Gen. Fred Chijuka, fnipr
25. Chief Solomon Ewuga, fnipr
26. Chief Frank Tamuno-Koko, fnipr
27. Chief Casca Ogosu, fnipr.
28. Otunba Adekunle Ojora
29. Prince Hon. Ako Njemanze, fnipr
30. Dr. Andee Iheme, fnipra
31. Otunba Venerable Olufemi Oyawale, fnipr
32. Dr Chuks Osuji, fnipr
33. Prof. Tonnie Iredia, fnipr
34. Chief Uche Udedibia, fnipr
35. Group Capt. Ben Mosugu, fnipr
36. Consultant Abubakar Aliyu, fnipr
37. Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, fnipr
38. Mr. Sam Ukoh, fnipr
39. High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, fnipr
Notable Ex-Council Members/ Members with Sustained Contributions
40.Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, fnipr
41.Hajiya Lami Tumaka, fnipr
42.Chief Ben Obi, fnipr
43.Dr. Ben Ahiante, fnipr
44.Prof. Chinyere Okunna, fnipr
45.Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, fnipr
46.Ambassador Zubairu Dada, fnipr
47.Alhaji Garba Bakori, fnipr
48. Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, fnipr
49. Chief Mrs Moji Makanjuola, MFR, mnipr
50.Elder Peter Dama, fnipr
51.Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, fnipr
52. CP Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, rtd. mnipr
53. Prof. Lantana Ladi Ahmed, mnipr???
54. Barr. Haroun Audu, fnipr
55. Prof. Emmanuel Owuamalam, fnipr
56.Dr. Wale Ademolekun, fnipr
57.Chief Adeyemi Moses Ajayi, fnipr
58.Elder Osita Okechukwu, fnipr
Diamond Award for Excellence in Professional Service
1. Senator Osita Izunaso, fnipr
2. Dr. Mike Omeri, fnipr
3. HRM Eze Felix Otuwarikpo, fnipr,
4. Eze Igbu Upata III, Rivers State
5. Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, mnipr
6. Saadatu Mahmoud, mnipr
7. Barr. Karibi George, fnipr
8. Pastor Matthew Owobu, fnipr
9. Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, fnipr
10. Mohammed Inuwa Bello, mnipr
11. Mr. Israel Jaiye Opeyemi, fnipr
12. Dr. Peter Oyeneye, fnipr
13. Mr. Akin Okudero, fnipr
14. Dr. Alice O. Ajeh fnipr
15. Mallam Yushau Shuiab, mnipr
16. Hon. Eseme Eyibo, mnipr
17. Prof Okey Okechukwu, fnipr
18. Mallam Kabiru Garba Aminu, fnipr
19. Hajiya Rabi Mohammed
20. Mrs. Ethel Egbeyegbe
21. Mr. Yakubu Lamai
22. HRH Dr. Jacob Olutayo Haastrup, fnipr
23. Dr Peter Afunanya, mnipr
24. Alhaji Kabiru Garba Aminu, fnipr
25. Mr. Sadiq Kassim, fnipr
26. Mrs Mercy Eluemunor, mnipr
27. Mr. Charles Ezeobinwa, fnipr
28. Princess Mrs. Tiwalade Fapohunda, fnipr
29. Dr. Joe Ita, fnipra Mr. Yusuf Muazu, fnipr
30. Mr. Chinedu Achusi, fnipr
31. Dr Muhammad Kudu Abubakar, fnipr
32. Mr. IbukunOluwa Fasan, anipr
33. Dr. Tope Ojeme
34. Olusegun Mcmedal
Diamond Ambassadors of Brand Nigeria
1. Indorama Eleme Mitchell Elegbe, GMD/CEO, Interswitch Nigeria
2. Dr. Jack Mpakaboari, mnipr
3. Osagie Okunbor, MD SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria
4. Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigeria Diaspora Commission
5. Timi Dakolo, Lagos
6. Alistair Soyode, Chair, Ben TV, London
Diamond Award for Valour
7. Tolulope Oluwatoyin Serah Arotile
8. Lt. Colonel Abu Ali
9. Aisha Bakari Gombi
Excellence in Professional Compliance
1. Nigerian Customs Service
2. Nigerian Police Force
3. National Youth Service Corps
4. Nigerian Army
5. Nigerian Air
6. Force Julius Berger Plc.
7. Central Bank of Nigeria
8. Nasarawa State University, Keffi
9. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam
10. Nigerian Television Authority
11. African Independent Television
12. Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria
13. News Agency of Nigeria
14. Voice of Nigeria
15. Nigeria Union of Journalists
16. Guild of Certified Online Publishers
By PRNigeria
