NIPR honours Emeka Oparah with leadership award

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has honoured Emeka Oparah, director of corporate communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria.

Oparah was awarded the prestigious Bob Ogbuagu Leadership Award for his “outstanding track record” in the country’s communications industry.

The leadership award was conferred on the Airtel director during the Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA).

The award, organised by the Lagos chapter of the NIPR held on December 20.

Oparah is widely known for leading the public relations campaigns that heralded the rebranding of the telecommunications company–a record five times.

“His selection was based on his outstanding track records in managing communication of the transition of Econet to Vodacom, Vodacom to Vmobile, Vmobile to Celtel Nigeria, Celtel Nigeria to Zain Nigeria and Zain Nigeria to now Airtel Nigeria,” read part of the honoree’s citation.

“We have also noted your activities, which has positively impacted the profession and inspired younger practitioners.

“Without a doubt, you are the foremost model of a public relations practitioner deserving of the award.”

Oparah, in his current role at Airtel Nigeria leads activities covering public relations, internal communications, corporate social responsibility, corporate events and sponsorship.

His career spans the full scope of the communications industry, with over 26 years spent in journalism, advertising and public relations.

After graduating from the University of Nsukka in 1990, where he edited the famous campus newspaper, “The Record”,  he spent the next four years working at the Imo state Newspaper and three other communications agencies.

He moved to Cadbury Nigeria PLC in 1994 where he spent the eight years as media relations manager before transitioning to Econet Wireless Nigeria in 2002.

Oparah holds an advanced diploma in international public relations management from The Management School, London.