Media
PUBLISHERS of TimesNG and other specialised digital platforms is to intensify efforts to promote quality journalism, strategic communication and public-interest reporting while rolling out new programmes and publications in the second half of 2026.
Managing Director of the Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Malam Yushau Shuaib, made this known during a mid-year briefing on the company’s activities.
Shuaib said IMPR had sustained credible, data-driven reporting on security, governance, the economy and public communication through its media platforms.
According to him, the company also provides fact-checking, perception studies, sentiment analysis and reputation management services to public and private sector clients.
He said the company’s media ecosystem now comprised TimesNG, Spokespersons Digest, Economic Confidential, Politics Digest, Emergency Digest, TechDigest, HealthDigest, Entertainment Digest and Arewa Agenda.
Reviewing the company’s achievements, Shuaib said its strategic communication campaigns for the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) received continental recognition at the 2026 SABRE Africa Awards.
Shuaib added that campaigns executed for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) had also been shortlisted for the 2026 Golden World Awards of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) in Athens, Greece.
He said IMPR was also listed among the PR Power List 2026, describing the recognition as a reflection of the company’s growing influence in strategic communication and public affairs.
On upcoming activities, Shuaib said the company would host the National Spokespersons Awards and the Economic Confidential Annual Lecture in August.
He said the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would deliver the keynote lecture, while the Minister of Information and National Orientation would chair the event.
Shuaib said the 2026 TimesNG Young Communication Fellowship attracted 690 applications for 30 fellowship slots.
According to him, training will be conducted at the newly established TimesNG Training Academy in Lugbe, Abuja, donated by Prof. Adamu Gwarzo.
He said the company would also host the Security and Emergency Management Awards (SAEMA) in November to recognise excellence in security, emergency management, humanitarian service and crisis communication.
According to him, the Arewa Stars Awards will follow in December in Kano to celebrate young achievers driving innovation and positive change across Northern Nigeria.
The IMPR managing director also announced the forthcoming publication of his memoir titled: “Mni vs. Mnipr in NIPSS: Tackling Institutional Bullying.”
He said the 205-page memoir chronicled his experience at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), which culminated in his withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47).
According to him, the book presents his perspective on issues relating to institutional discipline, freedom of expression, due process, digital privacy and leadership accountability.
“Among the issues discussed are my allegation that private email correspondence belonging to my media organisation was unlawfully accessed during disciplinary proceedings.
“The attribution to me of authorship of a publication I maintain I neither wrote nor endorsed; and my contention that expressions of institutional regret were misconstrued as admissions of misconduct,” he said.
He expressed concern that more than a year after petitioning the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over the alleged interception of his private email, no action had been taken against the suspects named in the petitions.
He said the experience reflected broader concerns about institutional accountability and also referenced his unresolved legal disputes over the alleged freezing of IMPR’s corporate account.
“These experiences have reinforced my conviction that justice delayed not only affects individuals but can also erode public confidence in institutions established to uphold the rule of law,” he said.
Shuaib expressed the hope that the memoir would stimulate meaningful conversations on governance, organisational culture, due process and respect for fundamental rights within public institutions. (NAN)
F.O
Tags: TimesNG Quality Journalism Strategic communication