HR People Magazine | December 2024 | Volume 13 | Issue 2
To the entire HR community, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued engagement with HR People Magazine and the HR People Magazine Awards since its inception. The opportunities you have created for collaboration and growth have been invaluable.
Nigeria is blessed with exceptional human capital a unique breed of talent that sets us apart. Our journey has been enlightening and inspiring, filled with highs and lows, new friendships, and valuable lessons. Through this experience, I have gained a deeper understanding of why Nigeria’s progress may be slow but steady, and why I am confident we will reach our promised land. The human factor remains central, those who work hard and truly deserve recognition will be the ones to lead us forward, while entitlement and complacency hold us back. Though I wasn’t a Director of HR in Nigeria, or engaged with the HR community here at senior levels, my background in HR, combined with global exposure across 34 countries and numerous HR conferences and programmes, gave me a unique perspective for what to do and how to do it in Nigeria. From day one, I have focused on integrity, credibility, and transparency, and this will continue to be our values.
Challenges Along the Way
While this journey has been fulfilling, it hasn’t been without its challenges. I have faced unkindness from industry leaders simply because they didn’t win awards some have blocked me on WhatsApp, Ignored our appreciation emails. The most recent edition of the awards saw some of the heaviest reactions yet. However, it’s almost expected that participants might feel a personal sense of loss. Despite this, we remain steadfast in our values, awards are earned, not handed out to satisfy everyone. Under my leadership, HR People Magazine Awards will never compromise on its principles.
To the industry leadership, I ask: do you truly understand what it takes to win a HR People Magazine Award? These are not pre-determined outcomes; our awards remain exceptional because of the integrity of our process and judges. We’ve even cancelled categories when submissions failed to meet minimum standards. In some cases, submissions lacked basic direct-blurred images, incomplete answers, or generic evidence recycled for multiple categories. Others assigned submissions to junior team members without sufficient oversight. I would improve by a review your approval. We are always proud of our winners. Part of the terms and condition of the awards is the opportunity for those who did not win to engage their winners for collaborations.
Celebrating a Missions, 10 Years of HR People Magazine Awards
In 2025, we will proudly celebrate the 10th anniversary of the HR People Magazine Awards, significant milestone. Over the years, the awards have attracted participation from some colleagues’ top companies, including Unilever, Lafarge, Schlumberger, Shell, NLNG, First Bank, Access Bank, Sterling Bank, Chevron, Cadbury, Tennis, MTN, IHS, DHL, NB PLC, Intersextech, Seven Energy, CocaCola, PZ, NBC and many more. These organisations trust our brand’s integrity and recognise the value of competing for these prestigious awards. The 10th anniversary will be a grand celebration of HR excellence, and encourage all HR professionals to join us in marking this remarkable achievement.
This edition promises unparalleled visibility and international engagement, making it the biggest and best yet. Prepare your teams and organisations to participate, it will be a celebration of your hard work, dedication, and impact.
On a lighter note, we advised on dress codays, some HR professionals and leaders still disobeyed us. We will not accept this in 2025. Your dress code adds value to the night and to the event.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Awards
To the winners and participants of the 2024 awards, congratulations! Your participation enriched the event, and your success comes with the responsibility of maintaining high standards. For those who didn’t win, I encourage you to make, refine, and retain stronger. Sometimes, success is just one mark away or lies in presenting evidence more effectively. Learn from others, improve, and prepare to showcase your excellence at the 10th-anniversary edition in November 2025. This questions are already available, so begin gathering your evidence and assembling your teams.
HR People Magazine December 2024 Edition
As you dive into this edition of HR People Magazine, we invite you to enjoy the inspiring articles, thought-provoking features, and highlights from the 2024 Awards. Don’t miss exclusive insights on topics like “Workforce And Interact: Redefining the Future of Human Resources” by Ron Thomas, “Promoting Cybersecurity Culture: The Role of HR” by John Kufong, and “Leveraging AI Skills: Benefits for HR Practitioners in 2025” by Ole Ehlumore. Also, explore captivating pictures from the 2024 awards and stay informed about the upcoming 10th Anniversary Awards in 2025, set to be a celebration of HR excellence like never before! Together, let’s continue to elevate the HR profession in Nigeria and beyond.
Dapo Saheed
Editor, HR People Magazine