By Muhammad Salisu
Kano Information Commissioner makes top 3* as Waiya joins FCTA’s Olayinka, Enugu’s Nwomeh in race for National Spokespersons Award.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Kano by the Director, Special Duties, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, Sani Yola.
Yola said the Kano State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has been named among the three finalists for the crisis communicator category of the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards.
According to the statement, the emergence of Comrade Waiya as a finalist was conveyed in a letter dated June 22, 2026 signed by Segun Mcmedal, Chairman, Planning Committee of the National Spokespersons Awards.
The letter reads in part, “I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as finalist in the Crisis Communicator category of the National Spokespersons Awards (NS Awards).”
Yola stated that the NS Awards, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, IMAR, publishers of PR Nigeria and Spokespersons Digest, is Nigeria’s premier platform recognising excellence, integrity and impact in public communication.
He added that the Chairman, Jury for the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, announced the finalists after the completion of the first and second phases of assessment.
According to Sani Yola, the Jury’s assessment produced 42 finalists across 16 categories in what organisers described as one of the most competitive editions since the awards began.
The statement explained that after an initial eligibility screening, 91 entries met the required standards of clarity of objectives, demonstrable impact, and verifiable evidence such as reports and digital links.
The Director noted that Professor Abdulbaqi said the Jury assessed all shortlisted entries using four core criteria: impact, innovation and originality, reach, and the quality of evidence submitted.
he emphasised, “The process was designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and credibility in identifying spokespersons and institutions that demonstrated excellence in public communication, media relations, crisis response, digital engagement, and strategic stakeholder management.”
The statement listed the top three finalists in the Crisis Communicator category as Lere Olayinka of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dan Nwomeh of the Enugu State Government, and Comrade Ibrahim Waiya of Kano State.
Yola further stated that the choice of Comrade Waiya among the best communicators adds to the list of numerous awards and recognition received by the Kano Information Commissioner in his second year at the Ministry.
He concluded that in recognition of Waiya’s contribution to the media and information sector, the Commissioner has received awards from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Nigerian Society of Broadcasters, NSB, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, and many others.
Newskeeper correspondent reports that the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in August 2026 and will feature the unveiling of winners across all categories.
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