Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Dr. Anule Emmanuel, on Thursday received an Outstanding Leadership Award at the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the Presidential Villa.
The event was attended by President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
First Lady Tinubu presented the award to Dr. Anule as the dinner—announced as an annual fixture—honored a cross-section of the nation’s political and business elite for their contributions to national development.
The event recognized prominent figures including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; industrialist Aliko Dangote; businessman Tony Elumelu; Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In a nod to media service, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, a former presidential adviser on media and publicity, was celebrated as the first special adviser to serve as presidential spokesman.
Other media honorees included Mr. Felix Onuah, a retired Reuters correspondent and the longest-serving State House correspondent, and Mr. Nicholas Okechukwu, recognized for distinguished service as a non-linear editor.
A posthumous award was presented to the late Baba Ladan Abubakar.
Dr. Anule, who also received the Outstanding State House Press Corps Chairmanship Award, said in an interview that he was “excited” the maiden dinner had taken place under his leadership.
He praised President Tinubu for consenting to host the event, calling the ceremony a milestone that “has now secured a place in the annals of Nigeria’s history,” and attributing the development to Tinubu’s stewardship.
NewsQuest reports that State House Press Corps members welcome the dinner as the beginning of a recurring presidential tradition that will annually bring together government officials, business leaders and senior media practitioners for an evening of recognition and networking at the seat of the country’s executive power.
