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Edward Osagie, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, Muyiwa Akande emerge finalists at 2025 National spokesperson award

Funso OLOJO

Three outstanding spokespersons in the maritime industry were among the 62 finalists who have been shortlisted  for recognition across 21 competitive categories in the 2025 edition of the ‘National Spokespersons’ Awards’ (NSAwards).
The three top performers in the maritime industry who will slog it out among the 62 finalists for the diadem are Messr Edward Osagie, the Head of Pubic Relations Department of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication Department of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) and Muyiwa Akande, Head of Public Relations unit of Sifax Group.
These three super spokespersons fought their way through to the final that will hold on April 16th, 2025 in Abuja.
Osagie of NIMASA emerged a finalist in three categories which include Spokesperson of the year which happens to be the lead category, Outstanding spokesperson (crisis management – pubic sector) and Marine and Blue economy sector.
Olumuyiwa Akande also featured as a finalist in two categories such as Spokesperson of the year category and Marine and Blue Economy sector.
Onyemekara of NPA features as a finalist in the Marine and Blue economy sector.
The finalists for the Award were  announced by the adjudication committee led by Dr. Shuaibu Husseini.
The National Spokesperson Awards which is in its fifth edition, was previously known and held as the Spokespersons’ Communication Awards (SCA).
The award recognises excellence and
professionalism in public communications across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

The NSAwards serve as a prestigious platform celebrating excellence, innovation, and professionalism in public communication across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.This year’s ceremony which doubles  as the grand finale of the 2025 ‘National Spokespersons’ Summit’, will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

The event is a product of a strategic partnership between the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of ‘PRNigeria’ and ‘Spokespersons’ Digest’.

Finalists emerged from a broad spectrum of institutions, agencies, and private sector organisations.

In the headline category of “Spokesperson of the Year,” five leading professionals will contest the top prize: ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Nigeria Police Force, Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum, Olufemi Soneye of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Olumuyiwa Akande of Sifax Group, and Osagie Edward Omoruyi of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The “Outstanding Government Spokesperson (Federal)” category features Bayo Onanuga of the Presidency, Dele Oyewale of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Josephine Adokuru Mudasiru of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

At the state level, “Outstanding Government Spokesperson (State)” nominees include Abdullah Abdulkadir of Edo State, Ismail Isah of Kogi State, and Ismaila Uba Misili of Gombe State.

For “Outstanding Corporate Spokesperson,” the finalists are Dr. Jossy Nkwocha of Indorama Eleme Petrochemical, Rafiat Gawat of Tropical General Investment, and Sade Morgan of Nigerian Breweries.

In the “Outstanding Spokesperson (Security Services)” category, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi is joined by DCC Abubakar Danlami of the Nigerian Correctional Service and Femi Babafemi of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum, Stanley Olisa of Helpster US Inc., and Viola Graham Douglas of Lafarge will compete for the award of “Most Innovative Spokesperson (Multilateral/Multinational).”

The “Outstanding Spokesperson (Banking Sector)” category features Amaechi Okobi of Access Holdings, Hakama Sidi-Ali of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Mabel Adeteye of Wema Bank. At the same time, in the Insurance Sector, Olusakin Labeodan of Leadway Assurance and Rotimi Aleshinloye of AIICO Insurance are the two finalists.

In the field of crisis communication, “Outstanding Spokesperson (Crisis Management – Public Sector)” will see a contest between ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Manzo Ezekiel of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Osagie Edward Omoruyi of NIMASA.

For the private sector version of the same category, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya of CMC Connect and Emmanuel Osedebamen of Julius Berger are the contenders.

In the Health Sector, nominees include Chief Moji Makanjuola of Ranlal Global Services, Cyril Monye of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Remi Adeleke of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The Education Sector category includes Dr. Habib Yakoob of the University of Abuja, Dr. Fabian Benjamin of JAMB, and Lukman Temitope Omoniyi of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

Hadiza Umar of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Olusegun Ayeoyenikan of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and Reuben Mouka of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will compete in the Digital Economy category.

In the growing Marine and Blue Economy sector, finalists include Ikechukwu Onyemekara of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Olumuyiwa Akande of Sifax Group, and Osagie Edward Omoruyi of NIMASA.

For “Distinguished Spokesperson (Power Sector),” Babatunde Lasaki of Eko Disco, Hajiya Nusrat Wali of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and Ndidi Mbah of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) will battle for recognition.

Christoph Schleissing of Lagos Continental Hotel and Niyi Aderibigbe of Transcorp Hotels will vie for honours in the Hospitality Sector category, while Chinedu Ukadike of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum, and Olufemi Soneye of NNPCL are shortlisted under “Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas).”

In the “Most Influential Corporate Voice” category, industry giants Air Peace, Dangote, and Julius Berger are set to compete.

Team excellence is also recognised, with the “Best Corporate Spokesperson Team” category featuring the Conference of PR Professionals in Tertiary Institutions, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Customs Service.

In leadership categories, “Most Supportive CEO to Spokespersons (Public Sector)” includes Kashifu Inuwa of NITDA, Khalil Suleiman Halilu of NASENI, and Mohammed Buba Marwa of NDLEA. Their private sector counterparts are Ayodeji Razak of Red Media Africa, Lolu Adebiyi-Akinyemi of Lafarge, and Allen Onyema of Air Peace.

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Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations  

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.
Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.
The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support  Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.
He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.
Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.
“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.
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Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime Reporter 

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence,  brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

 As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.
It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.
 He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.
He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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