Winners Emerge at Corporate Communications Maiden Awards

By Kasie Abone

Group Head, Communications and External Affairs of Access Bank, Mr. Amaechi Okobi has emerged the winner of the Corporate Communications Professional of the Year in the maiden edition of Corporate Communications Awards organised by Sesema PR. The event, which held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, was to celebrate outstanding achievements in Nigeria’s Corporate Communications industry.

Expectedly, Indomie noodles “You like no other” campaign and Union Bank clinched “Campaign of The Year and “Best Rebranding Project” awards.

Obviously excited Okobi, lifting his laurel high above his head, expressed himself thus, “Winning the maiden Corporate Communications Award is the sweetest credible honour to receive. Alima (Attah, founder of Sesema PR) wherever you are, thank you. My team that made me look good, it is about me and them; thank you.”

Okobi was named champion through a voting process by the public, and industry professionals, as well as nominations by members of the Advisory Board.

Other winners were Jago Milk, “for the winner in you”, best use of video award; Wedding party- Elfike Film Collective, best use of PR in entertainment award; Keex Tribe (Jide Ipaye), best use of PR in SME and Funke Akindele, best use of individual PR award.

Other winners were Francesca Uriri, founder, Leading Ladies Africa and PR Manager at Weber Shandwick who won the Alima Atta Excellence award.

Also speaking at the event, the Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan African University, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, who is a member of the advisory board, expressed excitement at the award. He said that as an educationist the importance of recognising hard work cannot be overemphasised. He, however, express regret that despite the fact that a lot had happened in the communication industry, particularly with many companies incorporating it as independent departments, not many communications  pass through the department. He added that people who are capable of passing on the essence of the organisation, its values to both internal and external audience were needed to drive the Corporate Communication Departments of an organisation.”

The Advisory Board is made up of; Mrs. Habiba Balogun – Lead Consultant, Habiba Balogun Consult, Omasan Ogisi – GM Corporate Affairs MTN NG, Mrs. Adesuwa Onyenokwe – Editor in Chief, TW Magazine, Emeka Oparah- Director, Communications and CSR Airtel NG, international partner: Jennifer Hardie – CEO, International School of Communication/ Pinnacle PR (UK&UAE), Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University  and organiser Mrs. Tampiri Irimagha Akemu – Managing, Director, Sesema Public Relations and from various industries including the media, academia and Corporate Communications. Winners were presented with an attractive plaque in recognition of their outstanding achievements in Corporate Communications.

Speaking at the event, Sesema PR Managing Director, Ms. Tampiri Irimagha-Akemu said, “The CCAs identified and rewarded the very best in Corporate Communications. The award event will be an annual feature of Nigeria’s corporate communications industry,” She added.

In attendance were industry players such as Yomi Badejo-Okunsanya; Group CEO CMC Connect, Anudeep Sharma; Marketing Head Sosaco Nigeria Ltd, Otega Ogra; Group Head corporate Communications BUA Group, Usman Imanal; Corporate Communications Manager; Stanbic IBTC, Irene Kayoma; Payporte Head corporate strategy, Toyin Egbebi; Corporate Communications; Ericsson, Dooyum Okwong; Marketing communications and Customer Experience Manger, Letshego, among others. The award event brought together eminent personalities for an evening of fine music, networking and gala.

The CCAS also featured a competition for young graduates- The Corporate Communications Pitch Competition (CCPC). Deniran Oghenemine, a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Benin emerged winner in the IT/Digital aspect of the CCPC, while Steven Aghalu, a graduate of Mass Communication, also from the University of Benin emerged winner of the PR aspect of the CCPC. The winners were presented with cash prizes of N130,000 each and a six-months paid internship at Sesema Public relations.