The association also appoints the former first lady to its National Advisory Council in recognition of her humanitarian service and social impact.
The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria (APPMEN) has honoured former Adamawa State First Lady, Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Zainab Boni Haruna, with a dual recognition for her humanitarian contributions and commitment to social development.
Haruna, who served as Adamawa State First Lady from 1999 to 2007, was decorated as the Nigeria We Want Ambassador for Humanitarian Service and Social Impact and appointed a member of APPMEN’s National Advisory Council.
The ceremony took place on Friday, October 9, 2026, at her residence in Asokoro, Abuja, with APPMEN National Coordinator, Chief Precious Enebuse, leading the decoration.
Speaking at the event, Enebuse described Haruna as a distinguished humanitarian whose record of service and commitment to rural development reflected the ideals of the Nigeria We Want Project.
He said her contributions through the Rural Empowerment Acceleration Programme (REAP) between 1999 and 2007 helped redefine the role of the Office of the First Lady through empowerment initiatives, compassion and rural transformation.
“Years after office, while many have faded, you have remained active, relevant, compassionate and patriotic. That is why APPMEN has found you worthy of a double honour,” Enebuse said.
He explained that the Nigeria We Want Ambassador title was reserved for credible and patriotic Nigerians whose lives and contributions inspire national renewal.
According to him, Haruna’s appointment to the National Advisory Council, described as APPMEN’s highest advisory organ, would enable the association to benefit from her experience, counsel and network in advancing private media practice in Nigeria.
The ambassadorial title was conferred at the Aso APPMEN Conference 2026, held on September 24, while Friday’s event formally marked her decoration and induction into the council.
In her acceptance speech, Haruna expressed gratitude for the recognition, admitting that she was initially hesitant about accepting an award linked to her public service.
She explained that she had always questioned the practice of honouring governors and first ladies for duties she believed were expected of them by virtue of their offices.
“I have always frowned at giving an award to a Governor or a First Lady for doing what they are supposed to do because of the office they occupy,” she said.
Haruna, however, disclosed that she reconsidered after being convinced of APPMEN’s credibility and its vision for Nigeria.
She thanked Enebuse and members of the association for finding her worthy of the honours, pledging to contribute to the development of private media and the promotion of humanitarian reporting across the country.
Members of APPMEN’s Central Executive and selected journalists witnessed the ceremony.
The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria is an umbrella organisation representing private media owners across Nigeria, with more than 1,000 members, according to the association.
Its flagship initiative, the Nigeria We Want Project, seeks to recognise credible Nigerians whose contributions to society deserve national attention and promote a more positive narrative about the country.
