Olufemi Soneye
By Our Reporter
More messages of goodwill and felicitation have been pouring in for Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) since his emergence on Wednesday night as Spokesperson of the Year in the 2025 edition of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Annual awards.
The latest felicitation have come from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ).
At the awards, which took place in Abuja, Soneye beat a vastly experienced field of spokespersons, which included Shell Petroleum’s Igo Weli, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Akande of Sifax Group, and Osagie Edward of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to win the top award.
In addition to winning the top prize, he also took home the “Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas)” award category beating Shell’s Igo Weli and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) spokesman, Chief Chinedu Ukadike to the prize, a repeat of his performance at the 2024 edition of the award.
In its message of congratulations signed by Jide Oyekunle, it’s General Secretary, the NUJ FCT Council said Soneye’s outstanding leadership as Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPCL has set a new benchmark in corporate communications, brand penetration, and stakeholder engagement in the oil and gas industry.
“This prestigious recognition is a testament to your dedication, professionalism and innovative strategies you have implemented to enhance the reputation of NNPC Ltd. and the sector at large.
The NUJ FCT Council is proud to celebrate this milestone with you, acknowledging not only your personal achievements, but also the positive impacts your work has had on the broader media and public relations landscape in Nigeria”, the statement said.
The body wished Soneye continued success even as it urged him to strive to uphold the highest standards in his profession.
In its own message of felicitation, the CAJ in a statement signed by Dr. Chris Isiguzo its President, said the award won by Soneye is a clear testament to his commitment to transparency, professionalism, and impactful communication in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector. It added that the NNPCL’s spokesman’s emergence as the winner of the award after a rigorous selection process, reflects the exceptional skill, integrity and strategic effectiveness he brought to his role as CCCO of NNPCL.
“Your leadership has truly set a benchmark for corporate communications not only in Nigeria but across the African continent. As a key voice in the energy sector, your work continues to inspire public relations practitioners and elevate the standards of communication across board”, the CAJ said,
