* It’s tonic to double down in business of image making in ethical way: Winner
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Kwara State governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Wednesday, emerged the distinguished spokesperson in political communication at the National Spokespersons Awards 2024 of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Ajakaye was presented with the prestigious award at a colourful event held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Two Fellows of NIPR who are indigenes of Kwara State, Alh. Saadu Salahu (Senior Adviser/Counselor to Kwara State Governor) and a Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Saudat AbdulBaqi, the secretary of NIPR in the state, AbdulRahman Sanni, joined Ajakaye in receiving the award.
While Prof. AbdulBaqi is a member of the NIPR’s Governing Council, Alh Saadu is the lone member of the organising committee of the NIPR 2024 National Spokespersons Award from Kwara State.
Ajakaye was first appointed as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s Chief Press Secretary in 2019 and was re-appointed into the position immediately the governor was sworn in for a second term of office on May 29, 2023.
The winner, in his appreciation, thanked Almighty Allaah for His mercies as he dedicated the award to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He said, I feel elated at the recognition, which, for me, is a tonic to double down in the business of image making in an ethical way. I am also humbled by the enormity of the challenges that come with being so mentioned on the national stage, and I ask God to guide me to be grateful to Him.
“My emergence in the NIPR’s National Spokespersons Awards 2024 as the Outstanding Spokesperson in Political Communication is deservedly dedicated to His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON), who gave me the opportunity and continues to support me to serve; and to my esteemed colleagues in the media team, and in the government as a whole.
The veteran journalist also extended his appreciation to the good people of the state for their continuous support for the government of His Excellency and for their understanding and appreciation of his commitments and efforts to build a greater Kwara.
According to him, My profound appreciation goes to my family in its narrowest and widest senses, especially my darling wife. I thank my colleagues and heroes in the Office of the CPS Government House, the distinguished NIPR Family in Kwara State, the Kwara Contingent to the NIPR Summit led by my sister Honourable Commissioner for Communications Bola Olukoju and Prof. Saudat AbdulBaqi Sallah, and the larger media fraternity in the state and across the country, including the digital naturals and stakeholders who have altered our understanding of media engagements and public communications.
“I especially congratulate our father Mr. Kunle Akogun of the University of Ilorin and my brother Basheer Luqman, Special Adviser on Media to Hon. Mukhtar Shagaya, for valiantly emerging in the first three in their own categories at the same NIPR Spokespersons’ Awards in Abuja on Wednesday night.
“This win, indeed, is for everyone. And I return all the glory and adoration to the Lord of the worlds,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ) in Kwara State has rejoiced with Ajakaye over the honour done him by the NIPR.
The league described Ajakaye as a workaholic and fine spokesman of the state governor, who committed his all into the job.
Also, other colleagues, including the chairman of the NUJ in the state, Ahmed AbdulLateef, have also sent congratulatory messages to Ajakaye on the WhatsApp platform of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
