Two prominent Public Relations Officers (PRO) in Federal Government agencies, Osagie Edward and Abdulahi Maiwada come tops at a recent Spokespersons Awards held in Abuja, while a notable journalist cum Media Relations expert, Dr. Bolaji Akinola gets an appointment as the Media Aide to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola
By Innocent Chukwu
An erudite journalist and seasoned Public Relations guru, Osagie Edward Omoruyi has emerged the ‘Outstanding Spokesperson of the Marine and Blue Economy Sector. Edward is currently the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). At the 2025 edition of the National Spokespersons’ Awards (NSAwards) held in Abuja on Wednesday, April 16, Osagie was crowned as the most outstanding spokesperson in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
This year’s edition of NSAwards witnessed 62 finalists who were shortlisted for recognition across 21 competitive categories.
Three spokespersons in the maritime industry participated in the final of the Award ceremony.
They included Edward Osagie, the Head of the Public Relations Department of the NIMASA, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager of the Corporate and Strategic Communication Department (C&SC) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Muyiwa Akande, Head of Public Relations unit of Sifax Group.
Osagie of NIMASA emerged as a finalist in three categories, which included Spokesperson of the Year, which happened to be the lead category, Outstanding Spokesperson (crisis management – public sector) and Marine and Blue economy sector.
Olumuyiwa Akande also featured as a finalist in two categories; the Spokesperson of the Year category and the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
Onyemekara of NPA features as a finalist in the Marine and Blue economy sector.
However, in the final section, Osagie beat all the contestants in the Marine and Blue economy category to emerge the winner.
In other categories, the Head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Dele Oyewale, a Deputy Commander of the EFCC, emerged as Outstanding Federal Government Spokesperson of the Year, 2025.
Oyewale emerged winner in a highly competitive category that included Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga and Josephine Adokuru Mudasiru of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The Chairman of the award’s Adjudication Committee, Dr Shaibu Husseini, while commending the nominees, emphasized that the selection process was rigorous and driven by merit.
The award is an annual celebration of individuals and organizations who have demonstrated professionalism, innovation, and impactful public communication.
Similarly, during the fifth NSAwards which was held at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre of the Abuja Continental Hotel, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) also came tops at the award ceremony, winning the Best Corporate Spokesperson Team honour.
The ceremony which followed a two-day Nigeria Spokespersons Summit, brought together by the past and present Ministers of Information, including Frank Nweke Jr., Lai Mohammed, Jerry Gana, Labaran Maku, and the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who was also in attendance, featured a series of high-level discussions led by notable speakers including a former Ogun State Governor and media veteran, Chief Segun Osoba, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, Founder of the Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Prof. Tonnie Iredia, Managing Director of NECCI Consult, Dr Nkechi Ali-Balogun; Editor-in-Chief of 21st Century Chronicle, Mallam Mahmud Jega, and Chairman/CEO, TPT International, Chief Adetokunboh Modupe.
The award commenced at 7:40 p.m. with a red carpet reception, cocktails, and networking session, followed by formal proceedings celebrating excellence in public communication.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, expressed deep appreciation for the recognition, stating that the honour reflected the collective efforts and professionalism of the entire Customs communication team.
“This award is not about one person, it represents the dedication and synergy of our entire public relations team. We have built a culture of collaboration and strategic engagement, focused on transparency, reputation management, and stakeholder communication,” Maiwada said at the event.
The Customs mouthpiece further noted that the latest recognition was built on the Service’s previous success at the 2024 edition of the awards.
Maiwada: “Winning again this year confirms that we are consistently raising the bar. We are committed to fostering trust and credibility through accurate and impactful public engagement.”
The Nigeria Customs Service was recognised alongside other leading institutions, reaffirming the vital role of institutional communication and public relations in the public sector.
Themed “Voice of Influence, Champions of Change”, the event was hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR and featured addresses by the Institute’s President and Chairman of Governing Council, Ike Neliaku, and Honourable Joshua Audi Gana, among other dignitaries.
In recognition of his astuteness, doggedness and hard work, the Honourable Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola last month approved the appointment of Dr. Bolaji Akinola as his Adviser on Media and Communications.
Dr. Akinola, a highly respected maritime and Corporate Communications expert, brings over twenty-five years of extensive experience and deep industry knowledge to his new role.
Throughout his distinguished career as a journalist, Media Relations expert and Brand Manager, Dr. Akinola has built a strong reputation for his insightful analysis of the maritime sector and his expertise in strategic communications. He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a frontline maritime media and public relations organization, Ships & Ports Communication Company, and is widely recognized for his contributions to the discourse on port reforms, maritime security, shipping development, and the broader Blue Economy sector in Nigeria.
Akinola holds a Doctorate degree in Media and Communications from the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. He also holds two Masters degrees – Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos Business School and Masters in Transport Management from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho. He is a member of many professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, United Kingdom and the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN). He served as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Maritime Conference and Exhibition (NIMAREX) from 2011 to 2014, and is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (FNIS) and the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (FCISN), among others.
In his capacity as Media and Communications Adviser, Dr. Akinola will be responsible for shaping and managing media relations, guiding communication strategies, and ensuring effective dissemination of information regarding the Ministry’s policies, programmes, and initiatives aimed at harnessing the potentials of Nigeria’s vast marine resources. His wealth of experience is expected to significantly enhance the Ministry’s engagement with stakeholders, the media, and the general public.
The appointment underscores the Honourable Minister’s commitment to strengthening the Ministry’s communication framework and ensuring that the vision and achievements within the critical Marine and Blue Economy sector are clearly and effectively articulated.
Speaking on his appointment, Dr. Akinola stated, “I am deeply honoured and humbled by the confidence reposed in me by the Honourable Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola. The Marine and Blue Economy is a vital frontier for Nigeria’s economic diversification and growth. I am committed to deploying my expertise to effectively communicate the Honourable Minister’s vision and the Ministry’s strategic initiatives to all stakeholders and the Nigerian people. It is a privilege to serve in this capacity, and I look forward to contributing my quota to this important national assignment.”
