Lukman Laleye Babalola of Emporium Reporters Online and Emporium Magazine has emerged winner of the Most Outstanding Parliamentary Reporter (New Media) category at the HallowMace National Legislative Awards 2026.
Babalola, who is also a member of the National Assembly New Media Forum and Publisher/CEO of Emporium Reporters Online, Emporium Magazine, and Emporium Online TV, was honoured for his consistent excellence in parliamentary journalism and sustained coverage of Nigeria’s legislative proceedings.
The recognition celebrates his contributions to legislative reporting, media advocacy, and efforts toward strengthening accountability and public information within the National Assembly ecosystem.
The HallowMace National Legislative Awards, organised by HallowMace Africa, is designed to recognise excellence in governance reporting, legislative performance, and public accountability across Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, July 9, 2026, at the NAF Conference Centre & Suites, Jahi District, Abuja, by 4:00 p.m.
The event is expected to attract prominent political leaders, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community, media practitioners, civil society stakeholders, and legislative actors across the country.
Former President of the Senate (Third Republic), Ameh Ebute, is billed to chair the occasion.
Other Notable Nominees and Awardees
In the Most Outstanding Parliamentary Reporters category, Oyediya Agwu Nancy Urum of AIT was recognised for Senate coverage, Joke Adisa of TVC for House of Representatives coverage, while Babalola clinched the New Media category.
National Assembly: Most Outstanding Lawmakers
Senate:
Recognised senators include Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (South East), Senator Adams Oshiomhole (South South), Senator Solomon Olamilekan and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (South West), Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (North Central), Senator Muhammed Monguno (North East), and Senator Sunday Katung (North West).
House of Representatives
Hon. Chike Okafor (South East), Hon. Inombek Awaji-Abiante (South South), Bamidele Salam (South West), Hon. Jonathan G. Gaza (North Central), Hon. Ahmadu Usman Jaha (North East), and Sada Soli (North West) were also recognised.
State Houses of Assembly: Most Outstanding Speakers
Recognised Speakers include Anambra State, Somtochukwu Udeze; Delta State, Emomotimi Dennis Guwor; Oyo State, Adebo Ogundoyin; Niger State, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji; Bauchi State, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman; and Jigawa State, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu.
Special Recognition and Other Categories
Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan of Borno State received special recognition for long service in legislative service.
Dr. Cornelius Ikalumhe was honoured in the Senate parliamentary staff category, while Mr. Paul Adara Adiwu received recognition in the House of Representatives category.
For legislative aides, Hajia Hauwa M. Lamin (Senate) and Mr. Agwunobi Peter Anochie (House of Representatives) were also honoured.
The awards, powered by HallowMace Africa in collaboration with the International Goodwill Ambassador Club, ERGAF Africa, and the Isabella Ayuk Foundation, emphasise credibility, transparency, and performance-based recognition in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Organisers described the initiative as “a national audit of performance,” aimed at honouring excellence and inspiring greater service in legislative governance and journalism.
Babalola’s recognition further reinforced the growing credibility of Emporium Reporters Online, Emporium Magazine, and Emporium Online TV as strong voices in parliamentary journalism in Nigeria.
