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Isaac Izoya Receives Double Honours for Promoting Nigeria’s Image in Europe

Lagos, Nigeria – February 24, 2026

Nigeria’s cultural ambassador in Europe, Isaac Izoya, has expressed deep appreciation after receiving two awards in recognition of his longstanding efforts in promoting and rebranding the image of Nigeria across Europe.

Izoya, who has been actively engaged in cultural promotion since 2002 through Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V., was honoured by the Creative Industry Group (CIG) during the Grandstyle Awards and Send-Off Ceremony held in Lagos.

The awards recognized his sustained contributions to cultural diplomacy, entertainment promotion, and the projection of a positive image of Nigeria within European communities.

The Grandstyle Awards and Send-Off Ceremony was a colourful and memorable gathering that attracted distinguished personalities and respected members of the Creative Industry Group community. The event celebrated excellence, service, and dedication among individuals who have contributed significantly to the development and global visibility of African creative industries in the diaspora.

During the ceremony, the event host, Felix Duke, also presented to Izoya an award earlier received on his behalf at the Lancelot at 30th in the Industry Awards Night, making it a double honour for the cultural promoter in a single evening.

In his remarks, Izoya expressed profound gratitude to God and to the organizers of the event for the recognition. He noted that witnessing the moment firsthand during his visit to Nigeria was deeply fulfilling.

“I am truly grateful to God for His grace and mercy. Visiting Nigeria and witnessing this moment firsthand is a powerful reminder that the mission is being accomplished, especially in the face of negative narratives about our great nation on social media,” he said.

He further emphasized his commitment to continue promoting Nigeria’s culture and positive image internationally. “To whom much is given, much is expected. I am ready to do more for Nigeria, my country. The show must go on,” Izoya added.

In a related highlight of the event, Izoya, who is the curator of the Nollywood Film Festival Germany and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA), also presented a NEGA award to Dairo Abidemi Emmanuel of Channels Television.

According to Izoya, the award had originally been scheduled to be presented in Germany, but the recipient’s professional commitments prevented him from attending the ceremony. As a result, the organizers decided to bring the award to Nigeria—marking the first time the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards has been physically presented to a recipient in Nigeria.

“If the mountain cannot go to Mohammed, Mohammed will go to the mountain,” Izoya remarked, explaining the decision to deliver the award personally.

In his acceptance speech, Dairo expressed regret that he was unable to travel to Germany to receive the honour, but said he was deeply grateful for the recognition.

He described the prestigious NEGA trophy as “Oscar-like” and noted that the award meant even more to him because it came from the reputable cultural platform established by Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V.