Why I Value IMPR/NIPR Awards – Femi Babafemi
The Director of Media and Advocacy at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, has described the National Spokesperson Award as the most cherished of all the honours he has received in his professional career.
Speaking during the presentation of his plaque as Outstanding Spokesperson (Security) on Thursday, Babafemi commended the organisers— Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) — for what he called a well-curated award ceremony that uplifts credibility in public communication.
“To show you how much I value this award,” Babafemi said, “I had to fight through an extremely tight schedule just to attend the ceremony. Even though I couldn’t stay to receive it in person due to another engagement, I made it a point to be present. That’s how important it is to me.”
He added that the authenticity and transparency behind the award made it particularly meaningful.
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“Unlike many awards where you’re expected to pay or lobby — and I get hundreds of those invitations which I usually ignore — this one came with integrity. That alone makes it stand out,” he noted.
Babafemi also praised PRNigeria, a media platform under IMPR, for consistently promoting impactful journalism and training the next generation of communicators. He specifically cited a recent article authored by a youth corper with PRNigeria, which was well-received by NDLEA leadership.
“There was a recent publication written by a young corps member from your organisation. Even my boss, Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) forwarded it to me, calling it an excellent piece. That tells you the kind of work you are doing,” he said.
Expressing gratitude, Babafemi emphasised that the award was not just a personal accolade but a recognition of the collective effort of the NDLEA’s communications team.
“Like my chairman always say, this is a team effort. I receive this award on behalf of my colleagues, especially those in the field, who gather the information we shape and communicate to the public. This recognition will definitely inspire us to do more and continue mentoring the next generation of professionals,” he concluded.
