By Muhammad Bashir Shuaib

The Chairman of the National  Spokespersons’ Award Committee and former Chairman of NIPR, Lagos Chapter, Segun Mcmedal, said 62 finalists were shortlisted from 224 entries for 21 categories, including the most coveted Spokesperson of the Year Award.

In the lists, three Kwaran spokespeople have emerged as finalists in the forthcoming National Spokespersons’ Award (NSAwards) 2024. 
 
The announcement of the finalists comes after the first round of the screening process by the jury, which comprises scholars from different backgrounds, including communication scholars, PR practitioners, and media personalities. 
 
In the finalists’ list, three Kwarans have emerged in three different categories, with Basheer Luqman Olarewaju, the SA to Hon. Muktar Shagaya, in the category of the young spokespersons of the year, Rafiu Ajakaye, the CPS to Kwara state governor, in the category of distinguished spokesperson in political communication, and Kunle Akogun of Unilorin in the category of excellence in corporate governance. Also in the same category of excellence in corporate governance, Kwara state government as a body emerged as a finalist in the category.
 
Meanwhile, one of the shortlisted finalists, Basheer Luqman Olarewaju, the SA to Hon. Muktar Shagaya, sees it as a great opportunity to be among the final three candidates in the category of the speaking person of the year. “I am happy I made the best three, and I pray to be an eventual winner.” He said.
 
It is also worth knowing that the National Spokespersons Award was initiated by Spokespersons Digest in 2021. This year’s award ceremony will be the fourth edition this year, and the award ceremony will be held during the National Spokespersons’ Summit in Abuja from the 25th to the 28th of March 2024, with the theme “Change Narrative, Change Society.”

Muhammad Bashir Shuaib is a Journalist and works as a reporter with Confidence News Nigeria