Verbatim Magazine has officially announced the selection of Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the National Orientation Agency, as the Keynote Speaker for its 14th Anniversary Lecture and 2026 Leadership awards in Abuja on June 4.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by Tobs Agbaegbu, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Verbatim Magazine, following a courtesy visit to the NOA Director General .
The Abuja based news magazine announced also that the lecture theme will be titled: “Leadership, Nationhood and the Power of Informed Choice in Democratic Elections: 2027 in Mind”, pointing out that the lecture theme is designed to ‘’stimulate critical reflection on the role of leadership and the responsibility of Nigeria citizens in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future, particularly in the context of the forthcoming 2027 general elections’’.
The Verbatim event was earlier scheduled to hold on Thursday April 16, 2026 in Abuja, but the Publisher explained that it was rescheduled for June 4, 2026 in Abuja because the new date falls within the official Democracy Day celebration period in Nigeria (May 29 – June 12), offering a more fitting national context to honour distinguished leadership, service to the nation and contributions to democratic governance and ongoing discussions on the upcoming 2027 election.
Agbaegbu further announced that Verbatim Magazine will, at the historic event, honour a cross section of Nigerians who have delivered exemplary services in their vocations and services to the nation, including state governors, heads of agencies of government , captains of industries and philanthropists.
He disclosed that the National Orientation Agency and its Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu will, at the event , be honoured with two distinguished award categories in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development, public enlightenment, and civic engagement.
Verbatim Magazine reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible leadership and national discourse through its annual awards and lecture series, which has become a significant platform for policy engagement and recognition of excellence in Nigeria.
