Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has received a National Excellence Award in Strategic Communication and Public Service at the 10th National Leadership Integrity and Development Summit and Awards 2026 in Abuja.
The award was presented at Nicon Luxury Hotel during the summit organised by the Centre for Ethical Conduct Orientation and Empowerment, in partnership with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
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The event formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary and was held under the theme, “Making Nigeria Work Through Trusted Leadership, Working Institutions, Economic Growth, Sustainable Development and National Security.”
Aburime was represented at the ceremony by Ejike Abana, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Productions.
The award recognises Aburime’s work in strategic communication and public service, particularly his role in communicating the policies, programmes and development agenda of the Soludo administration to the public.
Aburime dedicated the recognition to Governor Soludo and the people of Anambra State.
The recognition comes against the backdrop of the growing role of government communication in shaping public understanding of policies and development programmes.
For state administrations, press secretaries often serve as a key link between government activities, the media and citizens.
The Abuja summit brought together stakeholders to discuss leadership, institutional effectiveness, accountability and sustainable national development, with keynote addresses and panel sessions forming part of the programme.
Speaking at the event, Dr Owah David, Executive Director of CECOE, said making Nigeria work would require deliberate action and a collective commitment to the principles on which the country was founded.
Dr Rabiu Olowo, Chairman of the occasion, emphasised the importance of strengthening institutions alongside capable leadership.
Olowo also noted that sustainable development should ultimately translate into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Co-Chairman of the event, similarly stressed the shared responsibility of leaders, institutions and citizens in advancing national development.
Abejide also commended economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the reallocation of resources towards productive sectors.
He expressed optimism that the reforms could contribute to increased manufacturing activity and foreign direct investment.
The political and economic remarks formed part of the wider discussions at the summit, whose theme placed leadership, institutional performance, economic growth and national security within the same national development conversation.
For Aburime, the recognition adds another public acknowledgement to his work within the Anambra State Government’s communications structure.
His responsibilities as Chief Press Secretary include communicating the governor’s policies and activities and providing information about the administration’s programmes to the media and wider public.
The award therefore places strategic communication alongside public service as the central basis for the recognition, highlighting the role of effective government communication in explaining policies and maintaining engagement with citizens.
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As the summit concluded, discussions around trusted leadership, accountable institutions and sustainable development remained central to the event’s broader message, with participants highlighting the need for both government and citizens to contribute to national progress.
