The Garden City Advancement Awards (GACAA), a platform known for recognising excellence and outstanding service across the Niger Delta, has officially transformed into the Niger Delta Advancement Honors (NDAH) as part of a broader vision to champion sustainable development, innovation and transformational leadership across the region.
The transition was formally unveiled on Tuesday during a press conference in Port Harcourt, where members of the institution’s Governing Council and Executive Management presented the new identity, strategic direction and plans for the 2026 edition of the flagship honours programme before stakeholders drawn from government, the private sector, traditional institutions, civil society, the media and the development community.
Speaking at the event, Principal Partner, Mr. Robinson Koyoyo, described the transformation as a defining moment in the institution’s history, saying the new identity reflects a commitment to moving beyond celebrating excellence to becoming a catalyst for regional development.
According to him, the Niger Delta Advancement Honors is designed to inspire visionary leadership, strengthen partnerships, encourage innovation and contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of the Niger Delta.
Also addressing the gathering, the Executive Director, Branding and Communications, Mr. Elvis Blackskin Jonathan-Ibiri, said the rebranding represents a renewed commitment to building a respected regional institution capable of convening leaders, celebrating excellence and fostering collaborations that deliver measurable development outcomes.
Established in 2014, the Garden City Advancement Awards built a reputation for recognising individuals, organisations, institutions and community leaders whose contributions have positively impacted society.
With its expanded mandate, the Niger Delta Advancement Honors will now extend its activities beyond awards to include leadership development, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, research and policy engagement, environmental sustainability, strategic advocacy, investment promotion and community partnerships aimed at achieving lasting regional transformation.
The Governing Council also announced that the 2026 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.”
Activities for the event will begin with a blue carpet reception at 5:00 p.m., followed by the main ceremony at 6:00 p.m.
As part of preparations, the organisation declared nominations officially open, inviting members of the public to nominate deserving individuals, corporate organisations, public institutions, entrepreneurs, development partners, philanthropists, community leaders and other changemakers whose leadership, innovation and service have made significant contributions to the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
The Governing Council said the nomination process would be transparent and merit-driven, encouraging broad public participation to ensure that outstanding contributors to regional development are recognised.
The organisers noted that the 2026 ceremony will assemble leading figures from government, academia, business, traditional institutions, civil society, the diplomatic community and the media to celebrate excellence while promoting dialogue, strategic partnerships and practical solutions for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta.
The institution also appealed to governments, corporate organisations, educational institutions, development partners, youth groups, traditional institutions and civil society organisations to collaborate in advancing a shared vision of a prosperous, innovative, peaceful and globally competitive Niger Delta.
The Niger Delta Advancement Honors describes itself as a regional development and recognition institution committed to promoting transformational leadership, strategic partnerships, innovation and sustainable social and economic development through impactful programmes, advocacy, research and collaborative initiatives.
