Oborevwori, Diri, Sam Dede, Monalisa Chinda Headline SSME Awards Nominees

Delta State governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his Bayelsa counterpart Senator Douye Diri, and Nollywood actors Sam Dede and Monalisa Chinda are among the personalities listed for recognition at the 2026 South South Media and Entertainment Awards (SSMEA).

The second edition of the awards will hold on 6th December at the Aztech Arcum Event Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Two commercial banks, TAJ Bank and Globus Bank, are also listed for special recognition alongside individuals and organisations drawn from different sectors, including banking, entertainment, sports, health and academia.

The awards organisers said the event was established to recognise the contributions and performance across the six states of Nigeria’s South South region.

The initiative, which began in 2024 as the Rivers State Media and Entertainment Awards, was expanded to cover the entire South South geopolitical zone ahead of its second edition.

SSMEA President, Sammy Wejinya, said the expansion was informed by the organisers’ decision to extend the awards’ scope beyond Rivers State and recognise achievements across the region.

According to him, the awards cover several sectors of the economy, with the organisers seeking to encourage improved performance and service delivery.

Television presenter and filmmaker Frank Edoho is scheduled to host the ceremony.

The red-carpet session is expected to begin at 5pm, while the main ceremony will commence at 6pm.