By JKNewsMedia
RECOGNITION RIPPLED through Nigeria’s public relations industry as top communicators were honoured at the National Spokespersons Awards 2025, closing the second Nigeria Spokespersons Summit in Abuja.
Organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) alongside the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the ceremony spotlighted excellence in corporate and public sector communication.
Among the high honours, in a fiercely contested category, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, was crowned Spokesperson of the Year.
Soneye outperformed contenders from Shell Petroleum, the Nigeria Police Force, Sifax Group, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
In the corporate echelon, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC was named one of the Most Influential Corporate Voices for the 2024/25 period.
The company joined two other organisations in receiving the accolade, with adjudicators citing outstanding clarity, consistency, and engagement in public messaging.
According to Segun McMedal, Chairman of the Awards Planning Committee, the criteria included the effectiveness of narrative construction, cross-platform communication, technological innovation, and measurable impact.
Storytelling strength, media visibility, and skilled use of digital tools contributed to the engineering giant’s recognition.
Frequency and quality of media engagements—ranging from press releases to op-eds—also weighed heavily in the decision.
In the private sector crisis communication category, Julius Berger’s Media Relations Manager, Emmanuel Isibor, emerged as the Outstanding Spokesperson.
The committee commended Isibor for sustaining visibility across traditional and digital media, navigating challenges within the construction sector, and ensuring regular, credible public engagement.
Speaking before the awards, NIPR President Dr Ike Neliaku highlighted the event’s role in fostering a stronger professional community.
“The summit is not just about awards—it’s about giving voices a platform to grow, connect, and respond to the evolving dynamics of public communication,” he remarked.
Opening the summit, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the NIPR as a cornerstone of professionalism in Nigeria’s communication landscape.
House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen reinforced the theme of ethical messaging, stating, “Misinformation erodes democracy. Integrity in communication empowers citizens and strengthens accountability.”
Soneye’s win followed his earlier triumph in the Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas) category, where he bested Shell’s Igo Weli and IPMAN’s Chief Chinedu Ukadike.
Soneye attributed his award to team effort. “This is not my honour alone—it belongs to the entire communications team at NNPC,” he said.
“We remain committed to delivering accurate and timely information to Nigerians, with transparency at the core.”
The judging panel, chaired by Dr Shaibu Hussein, assessed nominees on crisis management, communication skill, and measurable public impact.
“Soneye’s ability to shape opinion and manage complex narratives set him apart,” said Lami Tuiaka, who represented the committee at the awards.
Held over two days, the summit attracted national figures including former Information Minister Lai Mohammed, veteran journalist Chief Segun Osoba, former Culture and Tourism Minister Chief Edem Duke, and House Committee on Media Chairman Hon. Akintunde Rotimi Jr. The gathering reaffirmed NIPR’s mission to elevate the standards of public communication while nurturing credibility, truth, and professionalism in the field.
