By Patrick Wemambu
Glamour and glitz characteristic of modern award shows should be on display today, Saturday November 7, 2026 as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) honours some 23 veteran journalists, media executives, and institutional leaders for their contributions to journalism. The recognition of the distinguished professionals goes beyond their philanthropy, sacrifices and excellence which have helped shape Nigeria’s media landscape. Tagged “2026 Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria,” the event organized by the National Secretariat of the NUJ holds at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
In a statement, the Chairman of the National Organising Committee, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, had disclosed that the programme would bring together distinguished media professionals and communication experts to celebrate journalists whose work has shaped the industry.
“For once, we want to celebrate ourselves. We are honouring colleagues who have paid their dues in journalism; acknowledge their courage, sacrifices, dedication, excellence and enduring contributions to the noble profession,” he said.
Onayiga described the recognition as different from conventional awards, saying it was the union’s way of appreciating journalists for their service and sacrifices while they are alive.
“Milestone Recognition of Media Icons is in a class of its own. It is not one of those ‘awards.’ The event is NUJ’s unique way of appreciating and celebrating the service, resilience, sacrifice and integrity of the recipients over the years,” he said. He commended the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, and his team for sustaining the initiative, which seeks to celebrate media icons during their lifetime.
Among the honourees is veteran Kano journalist, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim, FNGE, popularly known as Kwakwatawa, a former National Vice-President of the NUJ and former Chairman of the Kano State Council of the union. Ibrahim, who served as NUJ National Vice-President from 1990 to 1997 and Kano State Council Chairman from 1981 to 1983, is currently the Secretary and a member of the Board of Trustees of the League of Kano Veteran Journalists.
Other honourees include Chief Eric Teniola, former Director of Press at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Barrister Yusuf Nuhu, FNGE, former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria; Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board; and Chief Abia Onyike, former Deputy National President of the NUJ.
Also on the list are Ayo Adewuyi, Executive Director of News at NTA Headquarters, Abuja; His Royal Majesty, Oba Rotimi Obamuwagun, former Deputy National President of the NUJ; Mukhtar Gidado, former Deputy National President of the union and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor; Hajia Tabitha Sani Kangiwa; Ignatius Nwachukwu; Mrs Toro Oladapo, former National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists; and Franz Ndulue.
Others are Martins Oloja, FNGE, former Managing Director of The Guardian Newspapers; Azubuike Ishiekwene, FNGE, Senior Vice Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Media Group; Kingsley Uranta of Channels Media Group; Olori Janet Mba Afolabi, Olori of Apomu Kingdom and Publisher of SCROLL Magazine; and Bayo Bodunrin, FNGE, of DAAR Communications, Abuja.
The remaining honourees are Uzoma Livingstone Isiakpu, former Director of Information, Imo State; Adeyinka Amosu, former Director of Lagos Operations at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria; Jubrin Bello Kwami; Ayinde Soaga, former General Manager of NTA Minna; Sumna Sambo, Director of News and Politics Editor at ARISE News TV, Lagos; and Hajia Aisha Abdullahi Jao.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, will attend as Special Guest of Honour and deliver the keynote address at the ceremony, which has the theme, “Strengthening Democracy Through Responsible Journalism and Good Governance.”
For milestone context, the event also coincides with the 71st anniversary of the founding of the NUJ. It is pertinent to note also that the 2026 Media Icon event is coming on the heels of the recently held World Media Awards 2026 which took place in London, United Kingdom. How can the former leverage the success of the latter in its organization? If not for the 2026 edition, maybe 2027? WMA succeeded because it wasn’t just a ceremony – it was a business case for the media.
World Media Awards 2026 added two innovative categories like the Content Leadership & Innovation slot – won by Victoria Pawsey of BCG and Rising Star position – won by Marta Samper of Omnicom Media. NUJ could do this, especially for young journalists, producers. This is how you get Gen Zs to be interested in the awards.
Towards experimenting with the concept of peer judging, is it not feasible for NUJ to invite World Media Awards judges to sit on its Media Icon panel next year 2027? Just thinking out loud.
A ‘Nigerian Creative Vault’ could be built as a yearly digital book to be published. This should serve as research material for institutions of higher learning, especially in the field of Broadcasting, Journalism, Public Relations, etc. Likewise, it has potentialities to prove to international affiliates that Nigerian media is becoming world-class.
How does the NUJ fund such a gigantic annual project without the public sector or its private counterparts’ subventions/grants? That is a million-dollar question. Maybe we could involve corporate influencers like Afreximbank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, United Bank for Africa, and STANBIC IBTC Bank.
Moreover, who says philanthropy organizations like Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASRAfrica) and Tantita Security Services cannot be contacted for sponsorship arrangements?
On an advisory note, banana peels the organizers would do well to avoid include lack of transparency in criteria for awards and poor organizational arrangements which could rear their ugly heads in areas of logistics and communications. Need for a constituted unbiased panel of assessors that reflects Nigeria’s diversity cannot be overstressed. Categories of honours must in addition be clear without porosity in borders.
At the risk of digressing, Charles Chukwuedo Snr, Esq on February 7, 2025 penned a piece titled, ‘The Disturbing Hypocrisy Of Media-Organized Award Ceremonies In Nigeria.’ He observed that in developed democracies, journalistic institutions restrict award recognitions to excellence within the media profession and allied disciplines. However, the learned friend was quick to pooh-pooh instances where in Nigeria a few media organizations have brazenly expanded such honours to include contrived categories.
Describing the scenario in question as exemplifying a troubling and increasingly pervasive culture within Nigeria’s media landscape – Chukwuedo averred that if media houses in Nigeria are insistent on hosting award ceremonies, they must restrict them strictly to recognising journalistic excellence.
Anything beyond that transmutes journalism into a transactional enterprise, where influence and patronage replace integrity and independence – he opined. And added that the press should remain resolute in its duty to inform, investigate, and challenge authority, rather than become an extension of the political establishment’s public relations machinery.
As a way of rounding up, suffice it to say that the 2026 red-carpet event Media Icon Awards must live up to its hype. It ought not to be only salutary but also transformative that the gala night remains in a class of its own. Ditto the 2027 edition. Simply put, NUJ’s unique way of appreciating and celebrating the service, resilience, sacrifice and integrity of its recipient professional members over the years.
That is while they are still alive, active, strong and full of energy. Not when dead and gone. Talking about commencement of reward reception here on earth. And perhaps its completion somewhere in the hereafter. For those who are not in the category of adherents of physicalism, one might add.
