Edward Omoruyi Osagie, spokesman for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has emerged the most outstanding spokesperson in the Marine and Blue economy sector.
Osagie, with a benign mien, emerged as the best in this category during the Award ceremony of the 2025 edition of the “National Spokespersons’ Awards (NSAwards) held in Abuja.
62 finalists were shortlisted for recognition across 21 competitive categories in this year’s edition of the competition.
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 Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager of the Corporate and Strategic Communication Department 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 include Spokesperson of the Year, which happens 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
economy category to emerge a 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.
Oyewale stood out for his infusion of finesse in strategic communication, skilful workmanship, impactful media engagements and consistency in the excellent projection of the EFCC’s image and in enhancing public understanding of the Commission’s mandate and activities.
Other winners from other categories include: Olufemi Soneye (NNPCL) as Distinguished Spokesperson of the Year (Oil and Gas), Nigerian Customs Service as Best Corporate Spokesperson Team, Kashifu Inuwa (NITDA) as Most Supportive CEO to Spokespersons (Public Sector), Femi Babafemi (NDLEA) as Outstanding Spokesperson (Security Services).
Soneye (NNPCL) beat ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of Nigeria Police, Igo Weli-Shell Petroleum, Olumuyiwa Akande, SIFAX Group and Osagie Edward-NIMASA to emerge Spokesperson of the Year.
In his remarks, Joshua Audu Gana, a Member of the House of Representatives, congratulated the organizers for identifying and rewarding outstanding communicators across various sectors.
He lauded the winners for their professionalism and devotion and urged them to continue to strive for excellence in the roles they play.
The Special Guest of Honour, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi Jr, emphasized the need for institutions and organizations to involve spokespersons in policy formulation and decision-making processes, noting that spokespersons should be equipped with first-hand knowledge of key issues to enhance their effective and accurate public communication.
The National Spokespersons Awards is Nigeria’s foremost platform for the celebration of excellence in public relations, strategic communication, and media management.
The award is an annual celebration of individuals and organizations that demonstrate professionalism, innovation, and impactful public communication.