The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Akinlabi Dare, has commended Publishers of Emporium Reporters online and Emporium Magazine,Royal Prince Media Services for sustaining the Emporium Leadership Lecture and Awards, describing the initiative as a significant platform for celebrating excellence in leadership, public service and nation-building.
Dare made the commendation at the maiden Emporium Leadership Lecture & Awards 2026 and the unveiling of the Special 10th Anniversary Commemorative Edition of Emporium Magazine, organised by Royal Prince Media Services in Abuja on Thursday.
Represented by his aide,Mr Jonathan Tamari, the presidential Spokeperson said the recognition being accorded to outstanding individuals and organisations reflected the growing importance of visionary leadership and excellence in national development.
He described the Emporium Leadership Lecture and Awards as a significant platform for celebrating impactful contributions across various sectors.
Dare congratulated journalists in Abuja and across Nigeria for their commitment to professionalism and nation-building, expressing optimism that the programme would continue to grow and inspire excellence within the media industry.
The event, themed “From Clicks to Credibility: Digital Media’s Role in Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy,” brought together senior government officials, media executives, security chiefs, civil society organisations and development partners.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, urged journalists to uphold professionalism, credibility and ethical reporting amid rising misinformation and disinformation.
The Minister said professional journalists must distinguish themselves through accuracy, proper fact-checking and context in news reporting despite the growing influence of social media and citizen journalism.
He warned against ethnic and religious profiling in crime reporting, insisting that criminality should never be associated with a person’s ethnic origin or religious affiliation because such reporting undermines national unity and promotes prejudice.
According to him, responsible journalism remains essential for promoting accountability, transparency and informed public discourse, urging media practitioners to continue serving as credible partners in Nigeria’s democratic development.
In his welcome address, Convener of the event and Publisher/CEO, Emporium Magazine and Emporium Reporters, Comrade Lukman Laleye Babalola, described the ceremony as a celebration of ten years of purposeful journalism and unwavering commitment to promoting excellence, accountability and national development.
Babalola said the lecture theme was timely as digital media continues to shape democratic participation while posing challenges such as misinformation, sensationalism and declining public trust.
He noted that the media must move beyond the pursuit of online traffic to embrace truth, fairness, professionalism and responsible communication.
According to him, the lecture was conceived to provide a platform for policymakers, journalists, regulators, security agencies and civil society organisations to explore practical ways of strengthening democracy through credible digital journalism while recognising individuals whose leadership continues to inspire national development.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Emporium Leadership Awards to distinguished Nigerians and organisations for their outstanding contributions to leadership, governance, media development, security, business, human capital development and social impact.
Among the recipients was Assistant Corps Commander John Onoja of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who received the National Resource Protection and Security Award. Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Adekunle Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), received the Distinguished Patron of Media Excellence Award, while Dr Wisdom Enang, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Green Energy International Limited, was honoured with the Emporium Energy Leadership Award for Strategic Excellence.
Also honoured were Fame Foundation, which received the Gender Advocacy and Social Impact Award; Comrade Grace Ike, Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, who received the Media Leadership and Civic Engagement Award; Dr Innocent Odey, President of InnoBec Business School, honoured with the Distinguished Leadership Award for Human Capital Development; Ambrose Omordion, Chief Operating Officer of InvestData Consulting Limited, who received the Outstanding Leadership in Capital Market Development Award; and Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, honoured with the Outstanding Leadership in Global Media Diplomacy and National Image Rebranding Award.
