By Seun Ibiyemi
Edward Omoruyi Osagie, the deep-voiced and charismatic spokesman for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has been crowned the most outstanding spokesperson in the Marine and Blue Economy sector at the 2025 National Spokespersons’ Awards (NSAwards) held recently in Abuja.
Osagie, known for his calm demeanour, triumphed in his category during the prestigious ceremony, where 62 finalists were shortlisted across 21 competitive categories.
Among the finalists from the maritime industry, Osagie competed with Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager of Corporate and Strategic Communication at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Muyiwa Akande, Head of the Public Relations Unit at Sifax Group.
Osagie stood out, being a finalist in three categories: Spokesperson of the Year, Outstanding Spokesperson (Crisis Management – Public Sector), and the Marine and Blue Economy sector. Akande was also a finalist in two categories: Spokesperson of the Year and the Marine and Blue Economy sector, while Onyemekara was only shortlisted for the Marine and Blue Economy category. In the end, Osagie emerged victorious in the Marine and Blue Economy category, solidifying his place as a leader in the sector.
In other award categories, Mr Dele Oyewale, Head of the Media and Publicity Unit at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was named Outstanding Federal Government Spokesperson of the Year for 2025. Oyewale secured this title in a highly competitive category that included Presidential Spokesman Mr Bayo Onanuga and Josephine Adokuru Mudasiru of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Dr Shaibu Husseini, Chairman of the Awards’ Adjudication Committee, praised the rigorous selection process, which was based solely on merit. He commended Oyewale for his skillful communication strategies, impactful media engagements, and consistent excellence in presenting the EFCC’s image, as well as enhancing public understanding of its activities.
Other notable winners included Olufemi Soneye from NNPCL, named Distinguished Spokesperson of the Year in Oil and Gas; the Nigerian Customs Service, awarded Best Corporate Spokesperson Team; Kashifu Inuwa from NITDA, recognised as Most Supportive CEO to Spokespersons in the Public Sector; and Femi Babafemi of NDLEA, who won Outstanding Spokesperson in Security Services.
In the fiercely contested Spokesperson of the Year category, Soneye beat out a strong field, including ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Nigerian Police and Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum, to claim the prestigious title.
In his remarks, Joshua Audu Gana, a Member of the House of Representatives, congratulated the organisers for recognising exceptional communicators across various sectors. He also praised the winners for their professionalism and dedication, encouraging them to continue striving for excellence in their roles.
Hon. Akintunde Rotimi Jr, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and Special Guest of Honour at the event, stressed the importance of involving spokespersons in policy formulation and decision-making processes. He noted that spokespersons should be well-informed about key issues to communicate effectively and accurately with the public.
The National Spokespersons’ Awards is Nigeria’s leading platform for celebrating excellence in public relations, strategic communication, and media management. It is an annual recognition of individuals and organisations that demonstrate professionalism, innovation, and impactful public communication.