The maiden edition of the South South Media and Entertainment Awards (SSMEAwards) is set to hold on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
At the event, Rivers State Governor, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, will be among the distinguished honourees, alongside top professionals, bankers, industry leaders, academics, institutions, and organizations recognized for outstanding contributions within the year under review.
The ceremony will take place at the prestigious Atlantic Hall, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt. Red carpet proceedings begin at 5 pm, followed by the main event at 6 pm.
The awards are supported by key partners including the Rivers State Government, the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, and the Rivers State Ministry of Health. Corporate partners include Taj Bank, Zenith Bank, Globus Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Ofure Global, Oga Sammy Sports Shop, and Navitas Realties.
Speaking on the motivation behind the awards, SSMEAwards President Sammy Wejinya explained that the initiative was created to inspire improved service delivery across all sectors. According to him, excellence has always been his personal benchmark, and the awards aim to encourage individuals and organizations to consistently strive for better performance.
He noted that the awards span a wide range of sectors, from revenue generation, sports, health, and entertainment to banking and academia. “We believe the recognition will inspire key stakeholders to raise their standards, knowing that the SSMEAwards—and by extension, society—are watching,” he said. He added that the initiative is a contribution toward building a better society.
The South-South Media and Entertainment Awards (SSMEA) is an annual celebration that honours impactful individuals, organizations, and institutions across the six states of Nigeria’s South South region—Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta.
A panel of four judges will oversee all 31 categories, with public voting also incorporated. The judges are Ify Onyegbule, Sampson Fiberesima, Rosemary Orubo, and Sammy Wejinya.
Award Categories
A total of 31 categories will be contested by outstanding individuals, institutions, and organizations across the South South. They include:
1. Young Person of the Year – Adoga Agbo Daniel (Graceland International School) – Asonye Angela Akelachi (Vine International School)
2. School of the Year – Vine International School – Pine Manor International School – Ecole Cherrywood – Norwegian International School – Graceland International School – Provil Schools
3. Media Personality of the Year (Male) – Segun Owolabi (Super FM 93.3, Port Harcourt) – Zubby Wokocha (Rhythm 93.7, Port Harcourt) – Abai Jacob Brakere (Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper, Delta) – George Ini Abasi Essien (Comfort FM 95.1, Uyo) – Alex Otutu (Classic FM 91.1, Port Harcourt) – Azuka Chiemeka (Delta Broadcasting Service)
4. Media Personality of the Year (Female) – Honey Ojukwu (Cool FM 95.9, Port Harcourt) – Denise Dennis (Nigeria Info FM 92.3, Port Harcourt) – Sharon Mandor (Comfort FM 95.1, Uyo) – Landlady (Naija FM 92.7, Port Harcourt) – Sergeant Iquo (XL FM 106.9, Uyo) – Constance Mega (Nigeria Info FM 92.3, Port Harcourt)
5. Book of the Year – Apologies Are Useless (Dr. Omoyemi Lynna Ohazulike) – Dream Count*l (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) – Death of the Author (Nnedi Okorafor) – Necessary Friction (Eloghosa Osunde) – The Edge of Water (Olufunke Grace Bankole) – The Tiny Things Are Heavier (Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo)
6. Bank of the Year – Stanbic IBTC – GTBank – Globus Bank – Providus Bank – Taj Bank – Fidelity Bank
7. Banker of the Year – Hamid Joda (MD, Taj Bank) – Walter Akpani (MD, Providus Bank) – Yinka Sanni (Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Bank) – Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc) – Chukwuma Nwokocha (Group CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC) – Mrs. Miriam Olusanya (MD, GTBank)
8. Brand of the Year – Furniture House – Prince Mega Agency – Callus Miller – Sundry Markets Limited – Chiques Apparel – Lontor
9. Company of the Year – Epenal Group of Company Nig Ltd – Richter Group of Industries – Cakasa Nigeria Company Limited – CypherCrescent Ltd – Jin International Company – Candix Engineering Limited
10. Minister of the Year – Heineken Lokpobiri – Nyesom Wike – Ekperipe Ekpo – Abubakar Momoh – Festus Keyamo, SAN – Senator John Owan Enoh
11. Governor of the Year) – Umo Eno – Douye Diri – Bassey Otu – Sheriff Oborevwori – Godwin Obaseki – Siminalayi Fubara
12. Senator of the Year – Godswill Akpabio – Seriake Dickson – Barinada Mpigi – Ned Nwoko – Allwell Onyesoh – Adams Oshiomhole
13. Representative of the Year – Thomas Ereyitomi – Julius Ihonvbere – Aniekan John Umanah – Marie Ebikake – Michael Etaba – Godwin Odey Offiong
14. Investor of the Year – Elder Kingsley Enosa Anon – Princess Fifi Ekanem Ejindu – Engr. Ini Ekong Charles Udonwa – Ibifiri Bobmanuel – High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs – Tonye Cole
15. Sports Personality of the Year – Stanley Nwabali – Barr. Chris Green – Engr. Musa Kida – Etubom Paul Bassey – Sabina Chikere – Amaju Pinnick
16. Media Organization of the Year – Megalectrics Limited – Comfort FM – Capital TV – AIM (Owners of Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Nigeria Info FM) – Delta Broadcasting Service – CRBC
17. Gym of the Year – Charlies Total Fitness Centre – i-Fitness – Bodyboost – Image Gym – ChrisBlinks Gym – Jasabi Gym
18. Gym Instructor of the Year – Ebenezer Imbu – Uruakpa Goodnews – Jennifer Bassey – Vextrong – Ovunda Wekwa – Abigail Bariwere William-Namanee
19. Night Club of the Year – Beerbarn – Maseraty – The 411 Lounge – Lesuka – Sok Lounge – Casablanca
20. All Star Club of the Year – Goldashe FC – All Stars International FC – Crystal Stars – Under 45 – Masgulf – Ex Professionals
21. Hotel of the Year – Bayview Hotel – Citi Base Hotel – The Edge Hotel – J’s Signature – Heliconia Park Hotel and Suites – Novotel
22. Social Media Influencer of the Year – Miss Hotspot – Soft Ajebota – Oba of Port Harcourt – Certified Courtist – Chigeru Omereji – John Aeba
23. LGA Chairman of the Year – Chidi Lloyd – Aboiyaa Bob Fubara – Chima Njoku – Gift Worlu – Obarilomate Ollor – Confidence Nyima Deko
24. Construction Company of the Year – Monier Construction Company – Lubrik Construction Company – Fisancol Transcontinental Services Ltd. – Megastar Technical and Construction Company – Torrema Limited – Reason Engineering and Construction Ltd
25. Academic Don of the Year – Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi – Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill – Dr. Bertha Ekeh – Dr. (Engr.) Amalate Ann Obuebite – Prof. Lucky Legborsi Nwidu – Prof. (Mrs.) Stella C. Chiemeke
26. Shopping Mall of the Year – Next Cash And Carry Hypermarket – Port Harcourt Mall – Garden City Mall – Hyper City – Timeless Superstores – Shoprite
27. Tertiary Institution of the Year – Rivers State University – University of Port Harcourt – University of Benin – Delta State University – Niger Delta University – University of Uyo
28. Oil Servicing Company of the Year – Penchin Global Services Limited – Substrata Oil & Gas Limited – Ocean-Tides Oil and Gas Servicing Company Limited – Pacan Oil & Gas Limited – Ofure Global – Ashbard Energy Company Limited
29. Real Estate Company of the Year – Hamrex Properties Limited – Odibola Properties – Velox Real Estate and Investment Limited – Landdiaries Properties – Igolo Real Estate Offers – Entero Homes Limited
30. Man of the Year – Grant Offor – Finidi George – Harrison Gwamnishu – High Chief Kestin Pondi – Chief Samuel Ogbuku – Prof. Isaac Zeb Obipi
31. Woman of the Year – Gloria Diri – Omoni Oboli – Yibala Akpama Edimek – Adaeze Chidinma Oreh – Omosede Igbinedion – Eunice Thomas
