The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS DG), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, was on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 conferred with a special Award of ‘Friend Of The Media’ by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).
This comes barely five months after the International Press Institute (IPI), honoured him for ‘Championing Press Freedom’, in Nigeria.
BON announced the special award at the Nigeria Broadcasting Awards Night in Abuja on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 during which Mr. Ajayi was described as “a thoroughbred professional”, who since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has displayed utmost respect for the media.
The head of the steering committee of BON, Bayo Awosemo, who was also honoured for his exemplary leadership, received the award in the DSS DG’s stead.
Recognized alongside the DSS Director General was the Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, his Cross River State counterpart, Senator Bassy Otu, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, and a former Executive Secretary of BON, Mr Obadiah Tohomdet for their support to the media industry.
The IPI on December 2, 2-25, honoured Mr Ajayi, for upholding “Press Freedom” and fostering a better relationship with the media.
The award, presented at the IPI Annual Conference in Abuja, recognized Ajayi’s commitment to respecting journalists and improving the security agency’s interactions with the media since his appointment in August 2024.
In his remarks, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, thanked the organisers for recognising hard work, professionalism and impactful contribution in society.
He said; “I believe the media has a role to play in shaping everything that we do, not just in Nigeria but all over the world”.
Speaking in turn, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who was the chief host, commended BON for conceiving and sustaining the initiative.
BON is one of the foremost umbrella organisations representing Chief Executive Officers of over 300 broadcast media houses across Nigeria.
