The Students Media Personalities of Nigeria (SMPN) on Saturday, January 9th held its maiden edition of awards nights, where it celebrated outstanding students media personalities from different varsities across the federation.
The event, which held on a virtual platform, was scheduled to hold December last year, but for the difficulty in organising physical events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was brought forward to early this year.
The award sessions were divided into two categories—the voting and the non-voting categories.
For the voting category, the winners include: Ayomide Sotubo (SMPN Leadership Award of Excellence), Tolulope Egun ( SMPN Rising Star Award), Wisdom Oyedotun (SMPN Creativity Award) and Olabode Olufemi ( SMPN Innovation Award) and SMPN LASU (SMPN Chapter of The Year).
For the non-voting category: the winners include; Susan Uko Lily (SMPN Award of Excellence), Moses Adikwu (SMPN Selflessness Award) and Deborah Yunana (SMPN Welfare Award)
There were also awards for SMPN best leaders. Winners include: Ayomide Sotubo, Faithella Agunloye, Moses Adikwu, Bello Oladele, Wisdom Oyedotun, Anu Onabolu, Obega Favour, Osare Ogbeide, Blessing Alasa, Tolu Egun and Susan Uko Lily.
Speaking at the event, Anthony Dimnwaka (Anthony Devoyce), a Media practitioner and founder of SMPN, said the idea behind the awards night is to celebrate excellence among the students. He added that the awards is “just something to show that we see what you are doing, we recognise the efforts you’ll are making to make sure this dream doesn’t die.”
He also appreciated those who supported the SMPN dream, which he said is now a reality.
Also, Mr. Lekan Otufodurin, the Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, in his speech titled “How To Effectively Leverage On Media To Be A Star” charged the students to exploit other possibilities and should not embrace limitations. He urged them to be effective because “it requires that you get results for whatever you are doing and not be satisfied with ordinary accomplishments and maximise your potentials.”
“Becoming a star is desirable but it takes hard work and lots of discipline not to be complacent or loose your head when it matters most,” he said.
Mr Otufodunrin told the students to increase their media expertise, seek internships, volunteer, take advantage of media opportunities, learn from best practices, among others, if they want to distinguish themselves from others.
