Supreme Court Spokesman, Festus Akande, Dedicates Award to Staff, Judiciary Correspondents

 Says as spokespersons, we take the bullet for our organisations 

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Director of Press and Information, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Dr Festus Akande has dedicated his “Distinguished Spokesperson Award” (Judiciary), to staff of the Apex Court, as well as the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).

Akande, who noted that the job of a Spokesperson is a very tedious and delicate one, observed that he would not have succeeded without the support and cooperation of his staff and journalists covering the Judiciary sector. He spoke, shortly after receiving his plaque and certificate from the organisers of the awards.

“For the umpteenth time, I sincerely thank the organisers of the National Spokespersons Awards. I feel very elated to be an Awardee. I will always cherish and relish it. I equally thank the staff of the Press and Information Department of the Supreme Court and the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, for their support and cooperation over the years. Your dedication to reaching out to the public on our behalf is commendable'”, he said.

While stating that the Spokesperson is the link or bridge between an organisation and the general public, the Director observed that their lives are sometimes threatened in the course of their normal duty.

While expressing gratitude for the honour, Dr Akande acknowledged the human side of public relations, saying: “Most of us (Spokespersons) work tirelessly behind the scenes, not always seeking personal recognition which shouldn’t deter us, but should fuel our desire to do more”.

“As Spokespersons, we always stand to take the bullet on behalf of our respective organisations, as we are duty-bound to speak and react on their behalf, no matter how risky or threatening the prevailing situation and circumstance might be”, he said. 

“We try as much as possible to balance the interests of both parties; but, unfortunately, as it were, our noble intentions are sometimes misconstrued by some sections of the public which, of course, should be expected, due to individual idiosyncrasy. 

“That, indeed, is the albatross that the Spokespersons will have to contend with. However, that will not stop the Spokespersons from speaking, because the public must always be kept informed”, he added. 

Akande, who thanked the organisers for the honour remarked that most spokespersons work tirelessly behind the scenes, without seeking personal recognition, adding that the award would fuel their desire to do more.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Awards Jury, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, said time has come for groups who give awards to stop limiting the honour to the CEOs of organisations, adding that Spokespersons deserve recognition for the yeomans job they do to fix the reputation of individuals and organisations.

The awards were organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in collaboration with the Image Merchants Promotions Ltd (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, and Spokesperson’s Digest. It is also an evolution of the Spokespersons Communication Awards (SCA), organised by the IMPR for three consecutive years, before the recent collaboration with the NIPR.