Grand Oak Limited, renowned marketers and distributors of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, threw its weight behind the organisers of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) to celebrate the fourth estate of the realm at its recently held media merit awards with a view to encouraging media professionals on their trade.
The 2017 edition also coincided with its (NMMA’s) Silver Jubilee and Grand Oak’s Lord’s Dry Gin brand and St. Lauren were the toast of the guests at the glamorous night.
The grand presentation of the awards was done at the MUSON Centre, Lagos with high ranking government officials across all levels of government in attendance. From the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari was represented by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to Lagos State Governor, Mr. AKinwunmi Ambode, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Tunji Bello, among others.
The not-for-profit professional development institution limited by guarantee, NMMA, in the 2017 edition recognized journalists and media houses from the print, radio and Television and distinguished heroes in the journalism profession.
Speaking on the sponsorship of the event, Brand Executive, Lord’s Dry Gin, Patrick Popoola, said the company believes that celebrating the media will foster excellence and development in the country, declaring that the company would continue to support the growth of the press in any way it could, as it had been supporting the NMMA initiative, among many others.
Popoola explained further that over the years, Calypso had been showcased at the event but this year, the company decided to showcase the Lord’s Dry Gin while St. Lauren was considered for non alcoholic consumers.
Meanwhile, the company used the forum to engage its teeming consumers and also capture their data.
“From the feedback, it was nice, they welcomed the brand (Lord’s Gin), they loved it, and they took it. Due to our data card shared they preferred the drink. Actually, it is also used for mixes, which they use to mix other drinks”, Popoola declared.
Consumers at the event applauded Lord’s Gin for its unique taste and its ability to be mixed with other drink brands. Similarly, St. Lauren also had lot of guests asking for more, a development which they attributed to its rich fruit content and originality.
The Chairman, NMMA Board of Trustees, Engr. Vincent Maduka, in his speech commended Grand Oak and other sponsors for supporting the initiative. “We want to appreciate all sponsors, Endowers, past Hosts of Honour, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, FCA and the Grand Patron of NMMA, President Muhammadu Buhari for all the support they have provided us to uplift the noble objectives of NMMA for our nation”.
Big winners at the night were Channels TV which won the TV Station of the Year; The Punch, Newspaper of the Year; TELL, Magazine of the Year; among others.
Also, distinguished personalities were also bestowed with Eminent Media Icon awards and they included: Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Late Dr. Alexander U. Ibru, Late Dr. Ismail Babtunde Jose and Late Chief James Olubunmi Aboderin.
