Oborevwori, Diri headline S’South media awards

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, two commercial banks and prominent figures in the entertainment industry are among the personalities and institutions listed for recognition at the 2026 South South Media and Entertainment Awards.

TAJ Bank and Globus Bank are among the financial institutions shortlisted for special awards, while Nollywood actors Sam Dede and Monalisa Chinda are also expected to be honoured at the ceremony scheduled for December 6 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The second edition of the awards will feature 25 categories covering individuals, businesses, public institutions and organisations across the six South-South states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta, according to a statement sighted by The PUNCH on Wednesday.

The organisers said the awards were designed to recognise contributions to the social, economic and political development of the region under the theme, “Celebrating Impact, Recognising Excellence.”

In the Bank of the Year category, TAJ Bank and Globus Bank will compete with Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, First Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank Nigeria, Signature Bank and Stanbic IBTC.

The Online Bank of the Year category features Kuda Bank, OPay, Moniepoint, ALAT by Wema, PalmPay, V Bank, Paga, PocketApp by PiggyVest, Sparkle and Rubies Bank.

Other business categories include Brand of the Year, Company of the Year, Investor of the Year, Construction Company of the Year, Oil and Gas Company of the Year and Real Estate Company of the Year.

Companies shortlisted for Company of the Year include AOS Orwell Limited, Oilchem Group, APM Terminals, Sigma Coatings Nigeria Limited, Baker Hughes, Tenaris, TechnipFMC, Sundry Foods, Food Concepts and Evomec Global Services Limited.

The construction category features Leo9 Asphalt and Construction Nigeria Limited, Hensek, Lubrik Construction Company, Monier Construction Company, Fisancol Transcontinental Services, TEMAmost Nigeria Limited, Kabom Developers Calabar, Kenno Mena Limited, Solidwall Construction and Azikel Dredging and Construction.

In the oil and gas category, nominees include Ansett Integrated Services, Calaya Engineering Services, Greg Continental Agency, AOS Orwell, Oiltest Services, Bell Oil and Gas, Oilchem Group, Cortech Oil Services, Africa Oilfield Services and Phoenix Energy Nigeria.

The academic categories also feature prominent institutions and university administrators across the region.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Rewhuamwhu Chike; the Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi; and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, make the Academic Don of the Year shortlist.

Others are the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekong; the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Prof. Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba; the Vice-Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Prof. Allen Aziba-Odumosi Agih; and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Bright Omoregie.

The tertiary institution category includes the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, University of Uyo, University of Calabar, Western Delta University, Delta State University, Niger Delta University and University of Benin.

In the media categories, nominees for Media Personality of the Year include radio and television presenters from Uyo, Port Harcourt, Benin, Warri, Calabar and Yenagoa.

The male category features Revken Ogbunehu of The Mixx 88.7 FM, Uyo; Ndume Green of Capital TV, Port Harcourt; Akinwande Mark of Inspiration FM, Uyo; Billcosby Jones of Treasure 98.5 FM, Port Harcourt; Chuks Cummings of Vibes 97.3 FM, Benin; and Michael Egbeba of Kpoko 100.5 FM, Warri.

The female nominees include Ruth Egbejule of Peoples 93.1 FM, Yenagoa; Denise Dennis-Worlu of Nigeria Info 92.3 FM, Port Harcourt; Umeh Obianuju Nicole of Vibes 97.3 FM, Benin; Ify D Dark Pearl of The Mixx 88.7 FM, Uyo; and Biola Festus Awodein of News Central TV.

Channels Television, Arise TV, TVC, The Nation, Silverbird Communications, Rapid FM, Capital TV, Love FM, AIM and Megalectrics Limited are among the nominees for Media Organisation of the Year.

The entertainment and lifestyle categories include Sports Personality of the Year, Social Media Influencer of the Year, Gym of the Year, Night Club of the Year, All Star Club of the Year, Hotel of the Year, Shopping Mall of the Year and Restaurant of the Year.

The Sports Personality of the Year category features former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, former coach Finidi George, Yusuf Ali, Bassey Akpan, Edidiong Umoafia and Agnes Atsu, among others.

The Man of the Year category includes businessman Atedo Peterside, former Rivers State governorship candidate Tonye Cole, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion and Igho Sanomi.

Nominees for Woman of the Year include former First Lady Patience Jonathan, former Cross River State First Lady and health advocate Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, comedian Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, actress Monalisa Chinda, gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, activist Aisha Yesufu and environmental campaigner Ann-Kio Briggs.

Speaking on the motivation behind the awards, the President of SSMEAwards, Sammy Wejinya, said the initiative was conceived to encourage higher standards of service delivery across different sectors of the South-South economy.

“Anyone who knows me knows my love for perfection and excellence,” he said in an interview published on the organisation’s official website.

Wejinya said the initiative began in 2024 as the Rivers State Media and Entertainment Awards before its expansion to cover all six South-South states following the success of the inaugural edition.

“The massive success we recorded at the inaugural edition informed our decision, as a group, to spread our tentacles and extend the vision of improving service delivery in all sectors of the economy to all six South-South states in Nigeria,” he said.

He said the awards covered virtually every sector, including revenue generation, sports, health, entertainment, banking and academia.

“It is our belief that all key stakeholders will raise their game and consistently put their best foot forward, knowing that the SSMEAwards, and, by extension, the wider society, are watching,” Wejinya added.

The ceremony will be held at the Aztech Arcum Event Centre, 77 Ken Saro-Wiwa Road, formerly Stadium Road, Port Harcourt. The red carpet is scheduled for 5 pm, while the main event will begin at 6 pm.

Television presenter and filmmaker Frank Edoho, known for hosting the Nigerian television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The inaugural edition was held in 2025 at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.