The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Olufemi Soneye, has been named the Spokesperson of the Year 2025 by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
The prestigious honour was conferred during a keenly contested award ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday night, where Soneye emerged top among respected contenders including Shell Petroleum’s Igo Weli, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Akande of Sifax Group, and Osagie Edward of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
In his acceptance speech, Soneye described the award as a validation of his dedication to timely, accurate, and transparent communication, added that it is a collective achievement made possible by the hard work of the NNPCL media team.
“I am deeply honoured to be named Spokesperson of the Year by the NIPR. From the very beginning, I made a vow to be a transparent and professional spokesperson, committed to impactful communication. This recognition belongs to the exceptional team I work with every day,” he stated.
Soneye had earlier clinched the Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas) category, ahead of competitors like Chief Chinedu Ukadike of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Shell’s Igo Weli.
This marked the second consecutive year Soneye has been recognised by the NIPR, having won the oil and gas category in 2024.
Chairman of the NIPR Adjudication Committee, Dr. Shaibu Hussein, described Soneye as a “diligent and strategic communicator” whose expertise in shaping public perception, managing crises, and delivering impactful messages distinguished him in the selection process.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, member Lami Tuiaka added that nominees were thoroughly assessed based on communication skills, crisis management, and public impact.
The award plaque was presented by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Hon. Joshua Audu Ghana, who lauded Soneye’s professional excellence and confirmed he would be celebrated by the NIPR throughout 2025.
“As I always say, NNPC is our collective asset and belongs to all Nigerians. We remain committed to keeping the public informed and involved in our activities as we work towards ensuring energy security for our nation,” Soneye concluded.
— Naijanewsbreak
