In a night that celebrated journalistic excellence and media influence, Rufai Oseni of Arise News was crowned the Media Personality of the Year at the 2025 INDEPENDENT Newspapers Awards, with the On Air Personality advising the outfit to keep blazing the trail.
The prestigious awards, held on Saturday, served as a double celebration, marking the 25th Anniversary of the newspaper.
Oseni emerged as the winner in a highly competitive category, edging out fellow industry heavyweights, including Chude Jideonwo, Kayode Okikiolu, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, and Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi.
The selection process was rigorous, utilising a weighted system that combined the expertise of a board of editors (40%), public voting (30%), and a specialised jury panel (30%).
Speaking shortly after receiving his plaque, the Arise News firebrand remained humble, attributing his meteoric rise in the broadcasting industry to a combination of divine grace and tireless effort.
Oseni said: “I give all the glory to God and I will thank the INDEPENDENT Newspaper for having this confidence in me.
“I’m thanking everybody and I will continue to do my hard work and research more to ensure I give the very best.”
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When pressed on what specific formula brought him to this pinnacle of his career, Oseni’s answer was concise: “I will say hard work and God, most importantly God.”
The 2025 Awards were particularly significant as they honoured “game-changers” who have shaped the national discourse.
As the Independent Newspaper celebrated 25 years of publishing, Oseni offered a brief but powerful charge to the organisation for the future, noting that it should “keep blazing the trail”.
The Independent Awards continue to be a benchmark for excellence in Nigeria, recognising leaders across social impact, corporate social responsibility, and political leadership.
For Oseni, this win solidifies his position as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Nigerian journalism.
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