Leading global PR Awards promoters, Provoke Media and SABRE Group have recognized the media innovative intelligence of Nigeria’s veteran journalist and media expert at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Funso Aina at an event in Frankfort Germany recently.
Speaking shortly after receiving the rare honours, Aina said “I am grateful to PRovoke Media, and SABRE, the world’s biggest PR Awards show for this recognition. It is a huge honour not only for me but for MTN Nigeria, Nigeria and Africa – the home of innovation and the future of the public relations and communications industry.”
Business Hilights recalls that before now, Aina had served at MTN Nigeria as Public Relations Manager, before being moved up as Senior Manager, External Relations at the telecommunications giant.
After over 22 years of distinguished work experience in journalism, cultural diplomacy and telecommunications, Funso Aina, is a result-oriented professional with varied competencies and hands-on experience in public relations, corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, perception/stakeholder/reputation/issues and crisis management.
Based on his vast experience and academic background, Funso takes PR beyond nomenclature – to a demonstrable understanding of the strategic importance of targeted communication and its use in the achievement of business results and organisational efficiency.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History (University of Ilorin, 1992) and a Masters degree in International Relations (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1998). He is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Funso joined MTN Nigeria in January 2009, and until his latest appointment, he was the company’s Public Relations Manager where he had oversight responsibility for MTN’s reputation/perception management; stakeholder management; media relations and PR leveraging for all activities; corporate sponsorships and events management.
Prior to joining MTN, Funso was the Communications Manager of British Council, UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Before then, he was at different times, Punch newspapers’ Chief Correspondent in Aso Rock (Presidential Villa), Abuja; Foreign Affairs Correspondent and a member of the newspaper’s Editorial Board.
