Friday, 5th July, 2019 was an eventful day for the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and its stakeholders as it hosted the 2019 .ng Awards at Nelo’s Place Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
The 2019 .ng Awards, the fourth edition, showcased Nigerian businesses, individuals, charity, public and private sector organizations that help to make the Internet a more secure, open, accessible and rewarding experience for all. The awards were open to any organization or individual using the .ng domain name, with credible online activities.
The event was graced with the presence of the DG NITDA, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami represented by Dr Collins Agu, the EVC/CEO NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta represented by Dr Chidi Diugwu, the Acting Registrar CAC, Lady Azinge represented by Mrs. Promise, the Acting Registrar APCON, Mrs. Ijedi Iyoha as well as attendees from a cross-section of the industry, media and the society at large. NiRA Board of Trustees and Executive Directors were all in attendance, ably led by the NiRA BOT Chairman, Deacon, Chima Onyekwere. The President of NiRA, Mr. Muhammed Rudman as the Chief Host at the occasion received the august visitors.
For the record, there were a total of 87 shortlisted nominees for the 13 different award categories that received the 44,717 different votes from the 18,247 voters. For the Presidential awards, there were 12 recipients for the different award categories.
Winners of the .ng Awards included Wallet.ng, Tfhost, Afe Babalola University, the Guardian, Daily times and many others. The highlight of the Presidential Award was the presentation of the NiRA Special Recognition Award to Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for his invaluable contributions to the growth in the ICT Industry and in particular, for the promotion of the .ng brand through NITDA’s “Switchto.gov.ng” campaigns to government at all levels. The full list of winners and recipients of the .ng Awards is available at https://nira.org.ng/nira-media/press-releases/485-2019-ng-awards-winners
Brief of the .ng Awards
The .ng Awards was launched in 2016 as part of the activities to mark the 10th Anniversary of NiRA. It was established to recognize and honor the contributions by individuals and organizations to the growth in the uptake of .ng domain names in Nigeria and the increased awareness about the .ng brand. The Awards also serve to acknowledge those who are exploring various opportunities in the DNS Industry in Nigeria. Till date NiRA has hosted the following .ng Awards:
- The 2016 .ng Awards, held on Saturday, 2nd April, 2016 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria;
- The 2017 .ng Awards, held on Friday, 21st April, 2017 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria;
- The 2018 .ng Awards, held on Friday, 6th July, 2018 at the Celebration Gardens and Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria;
- And finally, the 2019 .ng Awards held on Friday, 5th July, 2019 at Nelo’s Place Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
We appreciate the active participation of everyone in the NiRA story and congratulate the winners of the 2019 .ng Awards