The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, has been honoured with the Friend of the Media award by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).
The award was announced during the Nigeria Broadcasting Awards Night held on Wednesday in Abuja, where Ajayi was recognised alongside other notable figures for their contributions to the media industry.
In a statement released after the event, BON described the DSS boss as a seasoned professional who has shown consistent respect for the media since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ajayi, who was not present at the ceremony, was represented by the head of the BON steering committee, Bayo Awosemo, who received the award on his behalf.
Other awardees at the event included Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, and former BON Executive Secretary Obadiah Tohomdet.
The recognition comes just five months after Ajayi received another honour from the International Press Institute (IPI), which commended his efforts in promoting press freedom and improving relations between the DSS and journalists.
Speaking at the event, Lawal appreciated the organisers for celebrating professionalism and impact, noting that the media plays a critical role in shaping society both in Nigeria and globally.
Minister Mohammed Idris, who hosted the event, also praised BON for sustaining the awards initiative, describing it as an important platform for recognising excellence in the broadcast industry.
BON serves as the umbrella body for chief executives of over 300 broadcast organisations across Nigeria.
