MAN lauds media collaboration on manufacturing advocacy
At the 10th edition of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Media Personality of the Year Award Ceremony held in Lagos recently, Chief Francis Meshioye, the President of MAN, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the media’s ongoing support in advocating for the manufacturing sector. Meshioye acknowledged that the media plays a critical role in promoting manufacturers’ goals, fostering discourse on policies, and shining a spotlight on the challenges and achievements faced by Nigerian manufacturers.
He emphasized the influence of media coverage in keeping essential industrial issues such as manufacturing competitiveness, energy security, local content development, and macroeconomic concerns at the forefront of national discussions. By highlighting the importance of supporting locally made products, the media has transformed the slogan “Made-in-Nigeria” into a national priority. Meshioye pointed out that, whenever manufacturers oppose policies that hinder growth, media platforms have significantly aided in persuading the government to listen and implement changes.
The award program, he explained, aims to enhance cooperation between MAN and the media while celebrating noteworthy journalism that impacts the manufacturing landscape. Meshioye commended the winners for their exceptional and detailed reporting throughout 2025, which showcased both professionalism and a nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s industrial context.
The ceremony recognized various journalists from different media outlets for their contributions. Yinka Kolawole from Vanguard Newspapers won the award in the print category, with Arinze Nwafor from The Punch as the first runner-up. In photojournalism, Temitope Aina of Daily Sun was awarded the top position, while Akeem Salau from Vanguard took second place. The online media category saw Rukayat Abu from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) emerge victorious, with Tony Nwakaegho of Gentech News as runner-up.
In the television category, Ini John-Mekwa from Channels Television received the top honor, while Abiola Ismail from MITV was the first runner-up. Ebere Obike-Franklin from Radio Nigeria won the radio category, and Sherifat Ajoke from Bond FM 92.9 followed as runner-up.
Overall, the event not only celebrated individual achievements in journalism but also underscored the critical partnership between the manufacturing sector and the media in Nigeria. Meshioye’s remarks highlighted the transformative power of informed journalism in advocating for industrial policies that ultimately affect economic growth and development in the country. This initiative signifies MAN’s commitment to fostering a robust dialogue between manufacturers and the press, ensuring that critical issues remain part of national discourse and policy-making.
