By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Director Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Mohammed Manga, has been honoured with Spokespersons’ Award for year 2022 by IMR’s Image Merchants Promotion Limited after emerging top best by panel of judges in the category of Resident Information Officers (RIOS) deployed as Government Spokespersons in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)..
A statement by Mrs Grace Njokwu, the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations in the Sports Ministry, says the Award ceremony which took place in Abuja on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, was the second edition and is aimed at recognising diligence, best hardworking Spokespersons, who are dedicated to the delivery of quality service on assigned duties followed with achieving positive results as well as the way they handled Public Relations activities in their various establishments across the country.
Manga, who emerged winner in the RIO category is the first to win the Spokespersons Communication Award (SCA) out of the 145 entries.
Shortly after receiving the Award and responding to questions from Journalists, Manga said that he is extremely honoured to be chosen as one of the recipients of the 2nd Edition of the Spokespersons Communication Awards (SCA) 2022.
“I am earnestly grateful for the recognition given to me for my work; because I am very sure that every other nominee for this award was as capable, if not more, of winning this award”, he noted.
“Media and Public Relations as we all know has been a cardinal point in the annals of development of our nation, which has brought smiles to millions of households and contributed in no small measure to the entrenchment of the unity of this country. It consistently ensures agenda setting, especially for both public and private institutions as well as its leadership through the upholding of ethical values and balanced reportage.”
Manga explained that, “when I reflect back into the various roles and situations I have been through in the present field and the people I have had the pleasure to work with all through my career and as a government spokesperson, I thought: what is the common thread in all? I therefore came up with my very own formula for success and this has four basic learnings or recommendations that i want to share with you briefly.
“First and foremost, be passionate. You cannot be successful in anything unless you are passionate about it. By passionate, I mean consistently being passionate, not only in good times, but most importantly in the not so good times.
As Government Public Relations and Media Managers, you would agree with me that, we all went through good and bad times at one point or the other of our career. In all, there is always something to learn and experience as long as you have the passion to want to keep on going forward and inspiring others. Inspiring others not only to follow you, but to also follow their own dreams.
Secondly, care for others. You can never be successful by yourself. I believe in team work. A true leader is not only one that is always open and frank with others and gets the best by developing other leaders; but most importantly, one that genuinely cares for others.
Thirdly, attitude. Be positive, don’t look at the “why not” or the “I can’t”… But always look into HOW can I make it happen and find a way to do it.
That is exactly why I always start my daily activities with a good morning, be it morning, afternoon or evening, not necessarily borrowing the military culture of doing things, but I am of the belief that a “good morning in the morning”… makes every morning a good morning and then turns it into a wonderful day! All those close to me know me with this culture of good morning greeting.”
The Spokesperson of the Youth and Sports Ministry ascribed the Award to the Glory of God, who kept him alive and healthy all this while and bestowed him with modicum of knowledge in the field to achieve what we are all celebrating today.
Mr Manga expressed gratitude to his family for their support, patience and understanding and further thanked the organisers of the inspiring Awards.
Worthy of mention here he emphasised, “are the panel of judges, made up of experienced PR practitioners, Editors and media strategists.”
” I must pause at this juncture to particularly doff my cap for the MD/CEO PR Nigeria, Mallam Yushau Shuaibu.
I want to thank the many folks I have worked with over the years, who have always pushed me to be better, every time. As a result, they not only helped me to be a better Public Relations and Media Manager, but most importantly to be a better person and mentor to my junior colleagues.”
“I am truly humbled and honoured to be in the company of people, who have inspired me and also helped in shaping my thinking and thus in realizing the potentials of our media profession to truly make a difference.”
To his team, he said, ” this award is not for me alone but for all of us as a Unit. It is for the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, a seasoned journalist under whom I serve presently, it is also for the great technocrat, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar and all the top management and staff of the Ministry where iam serving today.”
“The award more importantly, is for the number one media practitioner of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, mni and to all my colleagues Resident Information Officers – RIOs, (both serving and retired) in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.” Manga concluded.
