Esther Onyegbula, a correspondent with Vanguard Media, has been honoured alongside 49 other distinguished women for exceptional contributions to leadership, national development, mentorship and community service.
The recognition came during the “40 Women Redefining Leadership Within and Beyond Lagos State” initiative organised by Bukber Communications in Lagos.
The event celebrated women from diverse professional backgrounds whose influence has continued to drive social transformation through innovation, advocacy and empowerment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Director of Bukber Communications, Omotola Bukola, said the awards were based strictly on merit and measurable impact across communities.
According to her, the initiative was created to spotlight women whose dedication to service and leadership has positively affected lives and inspired meaningful change.
Bukola described the honourees as women who have risen beyond titles and positions to create enduring legacies through purposeful leadership and mentorship.
She also expressed concern over the growing culture of instant success among youths, urging younger Nigerians to embrace integrity, patience, discipline and hard work.
In her citation, Onyegbula was praised as a journalist driven by clarity, integrity and compassion, particularly in crime, metro and human interest reporting.
The organisers noted that her journalism career spanning over a decade has consistently amplified vulnerable voices while promoting truth based storytelling and social advocacy.
They further commended her ability to go beyond conventional reporting by highlighting human realities often ignored in mainstream discourse.
Beyond journalism, Onyegbula was also recognised for her contributions in media strategy, communications advisory and reputation management for institutions and organisations.
Reacting to the award, the journalist described the honour as deeply humbling and said the nomination process made the recognition even more meaningful.
She disclosed that after contacting the organisers out of curiosity, she was informed that colleagues and stakeholders from different industries had independently nominated her, with strong support from the print media sector.
According to her, the revelation strengthened her belief that consistency, grace and dedication to duty never go unnoticed.
Onyegbula dedicated the recognition to God, her husband and her children, Gideon and Gaius, while also appreciating Vanguard Media for providing the platform that shaped her journalism career and professional growth.
Other recipients honoured at the event included Gbemisola Morounke Saibu for cancer research and biochemistry, Dorcas Onuwa Ekpenisi for military engineering leadership, and Kehinde Charity Awujoola for youth and gender advocacy, as organisers called for sustained mentorship and leadership continuity among women across generations.