The maiden edition of the Advocacy Awards 2026 has been held in Calabar, Cross River State, bringing together public officials, community leaders, professionals, media practitioners, entrepreneurs and advocates from across the state and beyond.
The event, held on Thursday at the Pearl Ball Hall, Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, coincided with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration and recognised individuals and institutions for their contributions to advocacy, leadership, humanitarian service, professional excellence and community development.
The Advocacy Awards was established to provide a platform for recognising individuals and organisations that use their voices, positions, resources and influence to promote positive change and contribute to the development of Cross River State.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of Advocacy Headlines, a new media platform dedicated to reporting and amplifying stories of leadership, development, community impact and advocacy.
John Owan-Enoh Calls for Constructive Advocacy
The keynote address was delivered by the Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan-Enoh.
Speaking on the theme, “From Advocacy to Action: Turning Voices into Impact in Cross River State,” the minister highlighted the importance of constructive advocacy in promoting development, influencing public policy and strengthening relationships between government, citizens and development stakeholders.
He emphasised that advocacy should go beyond criticism to include constructive engagement, solution-oriented communication and support for initiatives capable of delivering measurable benefits to communities.
His participation further highlighted the role of advocacy as a tool for sustainable development and civic engagement.
Awards Recognise Contributions Across Various Sectors
The awards recognised individuals and institutions across several areas, including governance and public leadership, community development, education, healthcare, tourism, enterprise, media, environmental advocacy and humanitarian intervention.
The recipients were honoured for their commitment to public service, community-focused initiatives, positive influence and causes that extend beyond personal interests.
According to the organisers, the honourees represent examples of how individuals and institutions can deploy their platforms, resources and influence to promote positive change.
Independence Day Provides Symbolic Setting
The organisers said the decision to launch the Advocacy Awards on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, was deliberate.
According to them, the date symbolises freedom, responsibility, nation-building and the collective duty of citizens to contribute to societal development.
They explained that the awards were conceived not merely as a ceremony but as an initiative designed to recognise results-driven advocacy and encourage more people to participate actively in community development.
Advocacy Headlines Unveiled
Another major highlight of the event was the unveiling of Advocacy Headlines, a media platform created to document and report the activities of individuals, institutions and initiatives making an impact in society.
The publication will focus on leadership, community development, advocacy and other stories of public interest across Cross River State and beyond.
The organisers disclosed that the official Advocacy Headlines news website is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.
Convener Says Initiative Is a Five-Year Journey
The convener of the event, Awade Friday, said the Advocacy Awards was the product of an idea he had nurtured for several years.
He explained that he had spent the past five years working towards establishing a platform that would publicly recognise men and women whose contributions to society deserved acknowledgement.
According to him, the concept became more defined over the past two years and eventually culminated in the creation of the Advocacy Awards.
He said the initiative was designed to celebrate impact, promote responsible advocacy and encourage greater public participation in community development.
Organisers Plan to Expand the Platform
The maiden edition has introduced a new platform into Cross River State’s advocacy and recognition space, with organisers indicating plans to expand its reach in subsequent editions.
They said the initiative would go beyond the presentation of trophies and certificates by promoting a culture where effective advocacy is recognised, documented and encouraged.
The organisers added that the successful launch would provide a foundation for future editions and broader programmes aimed at strengthening the impact of advocacy across the state and beyond.
The event ended with renewed emphasis on the role of advocacy in promoting development and recognising individuals and institutions contributing to positive change.
The Advocacy Awards has officially begun.
GALLERY… ⬇️
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