The Garden City Advancement Awards has been transformed into the Niger Delta Advancement Honors as its promoters unveiled a broader regional mandate aimed at driving sustainable development, transformational leadership and innovation across the Niger Delta.
The transition was announced on Tuesday at a press conference in Port Harcourt, where the Governing Council and Executive Management unveiled the institution’s new identity, strategic direction and plans for its flagship 2026 edition before stakeholders drawn from government, the private sector, traditional institutions, civil society, the media and the development community.
Speaking during the unveiling, the Principal Partner, Robinson Koyoyo, described the rebranding as a defining moment that reflects the institution’s growing commitment to regional development.
“The evolution into the Niger Delta Advancement Honors reflects our commitment to doing more than recognising excellence. We are building a platform that inspires leadership, strengthens partnerships, encourages innovation and contributes meaningfully to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Branding and Communications, Elvis Blackskin Jonathan-Ibiri, said the new identity marked the beginning of a stronger regional institution focused on delivering measurable developmental impact.
“NDAH is positioned to become a respected regional institution that convenes leaders, celebrates excellence, fosters collaboration and delivers measurable developmental impact across the Niger Delta,” he stated.
Founded in 2014 as the Garden City Advancement Awards, the organisation has built a reputation for recognising outstanding individuals, institutions and community leaders whose contributions have driven positive change.
With the transition, the institution said it would expand beyond awards and recognition to champion leadership development, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, research and policy engagement, environmental sustainability, strategic advocacy, investment promotion and community partnerships aimed at accelerating long-term development in the Niger Delta.
The Governing Council also announced that the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Advancement Honors will hold on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Aztech Arcum, Port Harcourt, under the theme, “Rethinking Development in the Niger Delta: A New Approach to Overcome Challenges and Achieve Lasting Success.”
According to the organisers, the event will begin with a blue carpet at 5 p.m., while the main ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The council further declared open nominations for the 2026 honours, inviting members of the public to nominate deserving individuals, corporate organisations, public institutions, entrepreneurs, development partners, community leaders and other changemakers whose outstanding leadership, innovation, philanthropy, advocacy and service have contributed to the development of the Niger Delta.
It said the nomination process would be transparent and merit-driven, adding that the awards would serve as a platform for celebrating excellence, fostering strategic partnerships and promoting practical solutions to the region’s developmental challenges.
The organisers also called on governments, corporate organisations, educational institutions, development agencies, traditional institutions, civil society groups, youth organisations and the media to partner with the institution in advancing a peaceful, prosperous, resilient and globally competitive Niger Delta.
