Veteran media professional and public affairs analyst, Hilary Damissah, has been awarded the prestigious Techlife Impactful Media Personality award during the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs and Executives in Tech Summit (WEETS). The event, organized by Techlife Media, took place at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) exhibition hall in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The convener of the summit, Ugochi Emmanuel, praised Damissah for his immense contributions to the media industry, highlighting his leadership, innovative content creation, and dedication to stakeholder engagement. Emmanuel noted that the award was a fitting recognition for a media veteran who has significantly impacted journalism through his commitment to excellence.
In a heartfelt tribute, Emmanuel, the founder of Techlife Media, reflected on the profound influence Damissah had on her career. She credited his mentorship during her time at DigiVation Network and Tribe Media Company for shaping her path, recalling how he would meticulously review her reports, sometimes offering tough but constructive feedback. “He wouldn’t accept mediocrity,” Emmanuel shared, adding that Damissah’s guidance, mixed with firmness and humor, helped her grow both professionally and personally.
Upon receiving the award, Damissah expressed gratitude to the event organizers, stating, “I am honored and humbled by this recognition. It serves as a call to further my mentorship efforts and a reminder of the importance of inspiring the next generation of journalists.” He emphasized the responsibility of seasoned media professionals to nurture young talent and help them reach their full potential.
During the summit, Damissah also moderated a panel discussion on “AI Leadership: Navigating the Future of Women in Business,” featuring prominent women in leadership, including Abimbola Ikumariagbe, COO of VDT Communications, and Tinuade Oguntuyi, Head of Network Services at ICSL. The discussion centered on the growing role of artificial intelligence in enhancing service delivery and customer experience across industries.
Damissah’s media career began in 1994 at the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he was also the Editor-in-Chief of The Megaphone News Agency. His journalism experience expanded through internships at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and freelance work for various publications. In 2011, he founded Cyber Africa News under Tribe Media Group and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Editor at DigiVation Network, an IT and lifestyle program on Africa Independent Television.
Beyond journalism, Damissah has played significant roles in public policy and consultancy. He served on the Senate Committee Expert and Media Advisory Group on ICT and Cyber Security, and has led media projects for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). He has also coordinated high-profile events such as the Nigeria Mobile Economy Summit and the Nigeria Digital Innovation Conference.
A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Damissah holds a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Public Administration. He has pursued additional training in public relations and business management, earning fellowships and accolades for his extensive work in media and strategic communication.
Hilary Damissah’s legacy as a mentor, media leader, and strategic communicator continues to inspire those in the industry, as he remains committed to fostering growth and excellence in Nigerian media.
