Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and veteran Nollywood actors Sam Dede and Monalisa Chinda have been shortlisted for honours at the 2026 South South Media and Entertainment Awards.
The event is scheduled to take place on December 6 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, according to a report by Punch. Now in its second edition, the award scheme runs under the theme "Celebrating Impact, Recognising Excellence" and includes 25 different categories. The platform highlights significant contributions to the social, political, and economic growth of the six states in the South-South region: Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta.
Beyond politics and the screen, corporate bodies and financial institutions also secured nods. TAJ Bank and Globus Bank are listed for special awards alongside standard competitive slots. In the Bank of the Year race, traditional players like Zenith Bank, Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, and United Bank for Africa feature prominently. Meanwhile, digital platforms including Kuda Bank, OPay, Moniepoint, ALAT by Wema, and PalmPay will contest the Online Bank of the Year award.
The academic sector also earned attention across the region. Several university heads were named in the Academic Don of the Year category, including University of Port Harcourt Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rewhuamwhu Chike, Rivers State University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, and University of Calabar Vice-Chancellor Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong.
Broadcast journalists across the southern states will contend for honours in the media categories. Male radio and TV nominees include Revken Ogbunehu of The Mixx 88.7 FM in Uyo, Ndume Green of Capital TV in Port Harcourt, and Michael Egbeba of Kpoko 100.5 FM in Warri. Female nominees include Denise Dennis-Worlu of Nigeria Info 92.3 FM in Port Harcourt, Ruth Egbejule of Peoples 93.1 FM in Yenagoa, and Biola Festus Awodein of News Central TV.
Major media houses, including Channels Television, Arise TV, and Silverbird Communications, were also nominated for Media Organisation of the Year, alongside sports icons like former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who made the Sports Personality shortlist.
