The Northern Renaissance Network (NRN), a leading socio-economic advocacy group, extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), on his well-deserved conferment as the Spokesperson of the Year by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the highest body regulating public relations practice in Nigeria.
Mr. Soneye clinched this prestigious award after emerging as the winner in the ‘Distinguished Spokesperson – Oil and Gas’ category for the second consecutive year, outshining industry veterans such as Chinedu Ukadike of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum Development Company.
This remarkable achievement underscores Mr. Soneye’s exceptional leadership, strategic communication prowess, and commitment to excellence in public relations.
“This award is not only well-deserved but also a testament to the transformative work Mr. Soneye and his team are doing to reposition the NNPC Ltd brand,” said Agada Abuh Theophilus, spokesperson for the Northern Renaissance Network. “Under his leadership, NNPC Ltd has evolved from an organization once perceived as opaque and insular to a transparent, accountable, and people-centric institution that prioritizes effective communication with its stakeholders.”
Since assuming his role, Mr. Soneye has spearheaded a remarkable transformation of NNPC Ltd’s corporate communications, leveraging his vast experience in public relations to elevate the company’s brand to one of the most respected in the global energy sector. His strategic vision has redefined how NNPC Ltd engages with the public, enabling trust and goodwill through proactive, transparent, and inclusive communication strategies. The public communications unit, under his stewardship, has excelled in projecting NNPC Ltd as a beacon of innovation, reliability, and corporate responsibility.
“Today, NNPC Ltd stands tall as a leading brand in the energy sector, not just in Nigeria but across the continent,” Theophilus added. “This is largely due to the tireless efforts of Mr. Soneye and his team, who have consistently demonstrated professionalism, creativity, and a deep understanding of the dynamics of public perception. Their work has set a gold standard for corporate communications in Nigeria.”
Mr. Soneye’s wealth of experience, spanning decades in media and strategic communications, has been instrumental in navigating the complex challenges of managing the public image of a national institution like NNPC Ltd. His ability to craft compelling narratives, engage diverse stakeholders, and address public concerns with clarity and empathy has significantly enhanced the company’s reputation.
The Northern Renaissance Network urges NNPC Ltd to sustain this momentum, ensuring that the gains made in brand perception and public trust are consolidated and expanded.
While celebrating this milestone, the Northern Renaissance Network calls on Mr. Soneye to remain steadfast in his efforts to reshape lingering negative perceptions some Nigerians may still hold about NNPC Ltd. “Your excellent work is yielding tangible results, but the journey is far from over,” Theophilus emphasized.
“We encourage you not to rest on your laurels but to redouble your efforts with even greater dedication to completely transform public perception and cement NNPC Ltd’s legacy as a world-class organization.”
The Northern Renaissance Network once again congratulates Mr. Olufemi Soneye and the entire NNPC Ltd communications team for this outstanding achievement. We are confident that his leadership will continue to inspire excellence and drive positive change in Nigeria’s energy sector.