Lagos public relations industry gala, awards hold December 19

The Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations will hold its fifth industry gala and awards ceremony at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos, on Saturday, December 19, 2020.

Popularly called the LaPRIGA awards, the event has evolved to become the communications industry’s Oscars. The high-profile ceremony will showcase and recognise excellence in public relations practice, celebrate practitioners and stakeholders to boost professionalism and more investment in the vocation via awards dinner.

Speaking at a media briefing to herald the event, Chairman of Lagos NIPR, Segun Mcmedal, said LaPRIGA Awards 2020 is themed, CULTURATI, a fusion of African cultures and traditions with foreign influences marking Nigeria’s 60th Independence.

According to him, “it is the first time the event will hold on a weekend so that guests can adorn their African, Western, Arabian or Asian garbs.”

While unveiling members of the selection panel, which include the Managing Director, LEAP Communications, Muyiwa Akintunde; Editor, Brands and Marketing, Business Day Newspapers, Dan Obi and Vice Chairman, Lagos NIPR and Chief Executive Officer, Stepcraft Associates, Eniola Mayowa.

He said, “They were carefully chosen to represent significant stakeholder groups and due to their impeccable character, professional accomplishments and long-time leadership roles.”

He added, “More award categories will be open to voting.”

Over 25 honourees from public relations consultancies, practitioners, stakeholders, and the media will go home with the prestigious LaPRIGA Figurine in different categories. “And this year, the Figurine will embark on courtesy visits and media rounds to sensitise the public about the valuable contributions of the public relations practice in brands, nation, and state-building.”

He said there will also be a drama skit to amplify the Chapter’s CSR initiatives, tagged: Extra Mile Projects (formerly called AutiConnect), an advocacy agenda to give back touching lives, especially people living with Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD], the aged and others in need including gender equality. A percentage of the profit from the event will be set aside to promote this initiative, yearly.

While commending the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR for constantly taking the lead in driving the right narratives for PR professionals, the Managing Director of BDC Communications, sponsors of the briefing, Mr. Tola Bademosi, encouraged members to fully participate in this edition of LaPRIGA. “It has been a challenging year for everyone, but we must continue to expand the frontiers of professionalism in our industry,” Bademosi said.

]About 300 leading communications professionals in consultancies, government, corporate and not-for-profit organisations, captains of industry including media personalities, academia, and C-Suite executives from across different sectors and industries are expected to attend.