INFO COMMISSIONER BAGS DISTINGUISHED FELLOWSHIP OF NIM

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications, will on Thursday, August 28, bag the distinguished Fellowship of the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Management at a ceremony billed to take place at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre in Lagos, even as he dedicates the honour to Governor Godswill Akpabio.

To qualify for the fellowship, alongside other distinguished nominees, the outstanding performances and managerial skills in the various responsibilities he has handled over the years, were considered.

Before his appointment as Commissioner for Information and Communications in July 2008, Mr. Umanah had proved his mettle in various aspects of media practice since 1989, when he began as a reporter during his National Youth Service days with the Outlook Newspapers Limited. In recognition of his excellent performance,, the newspaper promoted him from Government House to a Chief Correspondent in Lagos.

He joined Newswatch Communications Limited in 1992, working in various editorial and advertising capacities, before he rose to the managerial position of Controller, Special Projects and Advertorial Business Development.

By 2004, Mr. Umanah ventured into web media services, serving as Executive Director and Editor for the Millennium Choice Technologies, Atlanta USA. Thereafter, he established the Executive Options Media Limited, Lagos. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization till 2008, when he was called to serve in the Executive Council of Akwa Ibom State Government.

While at the helms of affairs at Media Options, Mr. Umanah blazed a trail in the advertising industry by publishing The Billboard World, a magazine that changed the face of outdoor publishing in Nigeria.

Mr. Umanah, as a media and public relations expert with remarkable achievements in journalism, publishing, web media and advertising, is a member of various notable and distinguished professional bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), and the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN).

Having worked in various capacities in the rebranding activations for several telecommunications companies, banks and federal parastatals and state governments including National Information for Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Lagos, Bayelsa, Cross River and Delta States, Mr. Umanah has carved a niche for himself as an expert in public communications, reputation and perception management.

His fellowship award by the Nigerian Institute of Management, therefore, corroborates earlier awards by other notable bodies and institutions from across Nigeria. It would be recalled that, among other awards and recognitions, he won the award of the Overall Best Commissioner for Information in Nigeria from the Grassroots Centre for Excellence, Abuja.

Reacting to this special honour, Mr. Umanah said he gives thanks to God Almighty and expressed appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio who gave him the opportunity to serve in his executive council.

Idris Mabadeje
Information Officer
26/08/14