Artificial Intelligence Fears Allayed as Outstanding Organisations, Individuals Bag 2023 Spokespersons Awards in Abuja (December 7, 2023)
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has allayed the fear of artificial intelligence in communication and national security.
Kashifu spoke at the annual security and communication award where the Deputy Comptroller General Immigration in charge of Passport, DCG Sada Hassan, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada and the Police Spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, among others, were honoured.
A total of 29 glittering awards were presented to eminent Nigerian security personnel, agencies, public relations experts, organisations (both public and private), seasoned communicators and university students, among others, at the 2023 Spokespersons’ Communication Awards (SCA).
The the 3rd SCA was held at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja.
The event was themed “Artificial Intelligence: Effective Communication for National Security”, with Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi delivering the keynote speech.
Speaking on “Artificial Intelligence: Effective Communication for National Security,” Mal. Kashifu Inuwa maintained that Nigeria can leverage artificial intelligence to enhance its national security for socio-economic growth and human capital development.
He said: “Like other world nations, Nigeria can also harness the potential of the cutting-edge artificial intelligence, aided by effective communication systems, processes and mechanisms, to tackle its insecurity crisis, once and for all.”
He reiterates that the only effective and efficient way to overcome emerging technologies is to acquire in-depth knowledge of the tool, its opportunities and threats. This, he added, would guide professionals on the right solutions to guarantee their proper functioning based on reliable protocols and ethical principles.
DG VON, Mallam Jibrin Ndace presents SAEMA Training Institute Award to Nigeria ImmigrationThe Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alh. Muhammad Idris Malagi, appreciated the awards’ convener for hosting the auspicious event, while also honouring hardworking, selfless and patriotic agencies and spokespersons of various organisations.
The Information Minister, who was represented by Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, assured that the federal government remains committed to remodelling the country’s ‘battered image’ in the global community, urging PRNigeria and other media organisations in the country to lend their supports.
Commending the winners of the various categories of the award, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, used the occasion to inaugurate the organising committee and the jury for the National Spokesperson Awards, which will be held in partnership with IMPR. The Chairmanship of Committee is chaired by the former Chairman Lagos Chapter of the institute, Mr. Segun Mcmedal.
While welcoming guests to the award ceremony, Mal. Yushau Shuaib, the Managing Director of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, the Publisher of PRNigeria, Emergency Digest and Economic Confidential, explained that the annual event recognizes outstanding contributions and accomplishments in communication and Public relations practice.
“The Spokespersons’ Communication Award (SCA), which debuted in 2021, recognizes the most outstanding public relations campaigns and communication strategies by professionals, groups and institutions.
“While we celebrate award recipients in 13 categories, we received 139 entries earlier,” he said.
In partnership with the NIPR, Mal. Shuaib disclosed that the SCA has been renamed the National Spokespersons’ Awards, with its inaugural edition taking place in March 2024.
Among the winners are others include CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS (Spokesperson of the Year); ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson (Crisis Communicator); DCGI Sada Hassan (Media-Friendly Personality); Integrated Indigo Limited (Agency of the Year) and Prof. Boniface Obiefuna (Scholar of the Year);
There are also the Borno State Government (Social Media); Nile University, Abuja (Young Communicators); the Kano NIPR Chapter (NIPR Chapter of the Year); the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR (Event Management); Mr. Christian Aburime, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State (Media Relations); the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC (Emergency Management); the Department of State Services, DSS (Public Information) and the Nigerian Air Force, NAF (Community Service);
Mr. Onugwu Mohammed, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State (Crisis Communication); Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria (Publications); Beloxxi and Company Limited, BLC (CSR/Community Relations); The School of Impactful Communication, TSIC (Knowledge Hub) and the Central Bank of Nigeria and CBN (Corporate Communication).