INTERN’S CORNER: My Lessons From The National Spokespersons Awards
By Blessing Omolola Oladapo
On August 13, 2026, I had the opportunity to attend the 4th Economic Confidential Annual Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, as part of my internship with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, among other titles.
Themed “Anti-corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication,” the event brought together government officials, communication professionals, journalists, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine some of the issues shaping Nigeria’s economy, governance and public communication.
I arrived about 30 minutes after the programme had begun. Walking into the hall, I was immediately struck by the calibre of people gathered there. It was more than an awards ceremony; it was a meeting point for people whose work influences public policy, governance, journalism and national conversations. Sitting among them gave me a different appreciation of the profession I am preparing to enter.
One of the most memorable moments for me was the keynote address by Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He examined the historical roots of corruption in Nigeria, tracing some of its manifestations to the colonial period while emphasising that corruption is not uniquely Nigerian but a global challenge that takes different forms across societies.
What particularly caught my attention was his discussion of how corruption can become normalised when younger generations grow up seeing unethical behaviour treated as an ordinary part of life. It made me realise that the fight against corruption cannot be left entirely to law-enforcement agencies or government institutions. It is also about values, choices and the standards society passes from one generation to another.
For young people, this means understanding that integrity is not only required when one occupies a public office. It begins in everyday decisions, whether in school, the workplace, business or personal relationships. A society cannot build strong institutions if dishonesty is tolerated at the individual level.
Another experience that stayed with me was the presentation and discussion around the book MNI versus MNIPR in NIPSS: Tackling Institutional Bullying, authored by Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, alongside the launch of the research project AI in Crisis Communication in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.
The discussion around the book was particularly instructive because it highlighted how personal experiences can become part of wider conversations about institutions, professional relationships and freedom of expression. One lesson I took from it was that communication should create room for people to tell their stories, even when those stories are uncomfortable or challenge established perspectives.
As a student of Strategic Communication, this was particularly relevant to me. Communication is not simply about speaking persuasively. It is also about listening, understanding context, asking questions and allowing different perspectives to be heard. When communication becomes one-sided, important truths can easily be lost.
The event also reinforced another lesson that is sometimes overlooked by young professionals: relationships matter. Watching experienced journalists, policymakers, spokespersons, academics and communication professionals interact reminded me that professional growth does not happen in isolation. Knowledge is important, but so are mentorship, collaboration and the relationships built through genuine professional engagement.
Perhaps the most personal lesson for me was about patience. As a young person starting a career, it is easy to look at successful professionals and focus only on where they are today. It is much harder to remember that every accomplished person once had to learn, make mistakes, build experience and earn trust.
The event reminded me that professional growth is a process. There are no shortcuts to competence. An internship may appear to be a small step, but the lessons, exposure and discipline acquired along the way can shape the professional one eventually becomes.
I also left with a deeper understanding of the connection between communication and governance. Anti-corruption reforms, economic policies and government programmes can only achieve their full impact when citizens understand them and trust the institutions implementing them. Poor communication can create confusion, while effective communication can build understanding and public confidence.
For me, this was one of the strongest messages of the event: good communication is not decoration around governance; it is part of governance itself.
Attending the 4th Economic Confidential Annual Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards was therefore more than another assignment during my internship. It was an opportunity to observe, listen and learn from people working at different levels of public communication and national development.
I may not have captured every session, but the conversations I witnessed gave me fresh perspectives on corruption, accountability, communication, freedom of expression and professional growth.
As I continue my internship and my studies, I hope to carry these lessons with me: remain curious, listen carefully, ask questions, learn from experienced people and, above all, build a career on competence and integrity.
For an intern still finding her feet, that may be one of the most valuable lessons of all.
Blessing Omolola Oladapo is a 300-level Strategic Communication student at Yakubu Gowon University. She can be reached at [email protected].
