Frank Meke to receive golden icon award for tourism journalism, destination storytelling

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Veteran tourism journalist, editor, broadcaster and convener of Cre8tive 9JA, Mr. Frank Meke, is set to receive the Recognition Award as “Golden Icon of Tourism Journalism & Destination Storytelling” at the 5th edition of the Golden Prestigious Icons Awards 2026.

The award ceremony, themed “Beyond Boundaries,” is scheduled to hold on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. The red carpet begins at 3:00 p.m., while the main event starts at 5:00 p.m.

Meke is being recognised for his longstanding contribution to tourism journalism and his sustained efforts to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage, festivals, destinations and tourism opportunities through professional storytelling.

With a journalism career spanning several decades, Meke has worked across prominent media platforms, including Vanguard Newspapers and The Sun Newspapers, where he has reported and written extensively on tourism, culture, hospitality and destination development.

Meke

Through Cre8tive 9JA, he has also expanded his advocacy for Nigerian destinations and cultural experiences, using journalism, broadcasting and destination storytelling to draw attention to the country’s diverse tourism assets.

The organisers said the recognition was intended to celebrate not only Meke’s professional achievements but also his role in shaping public conversations around tourism and encouraging greater appreciation of Nigeria’s cultural and destination wealth.

According to the organisers, the “Beyond Boundaries” theme reflects the need for Nigerian professionals and institutions to move beyond conventional limitations and create platforms capable of projecting the country’s talents, culture, businesses and tourism attractions to a wider global audience.

They described Meke’s work as an example of how specialised journalism can contribute to destination promotion by connecting compelling stories with places, people, culture and economic opportunities.

The organisers said the award also recognises the broader importance of tourism journalism in building destination visibility, influencing travel decisions and encouraging investment in the sector.

Reacting to the honour, Meke expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising tourism journalism and the efforts of professionals who have continued to tell Nigeria’s stories despite the challenges facing the industry.

He said the recognition belonged not only to him but also to colleagues, tourism stakeholders, cultural practitioners and destination communities whose stories had provided the foundation for his work over the years.

“Tourism storytelling is about giving people a reason to discover, appreciate and preserve what we have. Nigeria has extraordinary destinations, cultures, festivals and people, and our responsibility as journalists is to tell these stories professionally and compellingly,” Meke said.

He added that stronger collaboration between the media, government, private sector and destination communities was necessary to transform Nigeria’s tourism potential into sustainable economic opportunities.

Meke’s recognition comes at a time when stakeholders are increasingly advocating greater investment in domestic tourism, destination development and strategic storytelling as tools for improving Nigeria’s global tourism profile.

The Golden Prestigious Icons Awards 2026 is expected to bring together personalities from the media, entertainment, business, tourism, culture and other sectors to celebrate individuals and organisations whose contributions have made significant impact in their respective fields.