Event Host (MC) of the Year | Liberia
West African Citizens Awards 2026 — Recognizing the Unseen. Celebrating the Exceptional.
A memorable event is shaped by more than its venue, programme or guest list. It also depends on the person who connects each moment, guides the audience through the proceedings and helps create an atmosphere in which people feel engaged. For media professional Praise Paul-Dunbar, known professionally as Praise Ganiyu and recognised by the personal brand “The Global Giant,” event hosting brings together communication, preparation, spontaneity and audience connection.
A seasoned compere and broadcast journalist, Praise has built a professional identity around event hosting, moderation, interviews, presentation and production. Her experience across broadcasting and live events provides the foundation for her nomination for Event Host (MC) of the Year at the West African Citizens Awards 2026, representing Liberia.
Her career reflects the versatility required of a modern master of ceremonies: the ability to communicate clearly, adapt to different audiences and help an event move smoothly from one moment to the next.
A Media Professional with a Foundation in Broadcasting
Praise’s professional background extends beyond the microphone at live events. In her public professional introduction, she describes herself as a certified broadcast journalist with credentials from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and the National Broadcast Academy.
She also identifies experience as a presenter and producer, including work as an entertainment television presenter and producer at Hi-Impact TV, which she describes as Nigeria’s first full high-definition broadcasting station.
Broadcasting and event hosting share several important demands. Both require clear speech, confidence, audience awareness, preparation and the ability to communicate information in a way that keeps people interested. A presenter must understand the subject, manage time and respond naturally when a conversation takes an unexpected direction. An event host must apply those same skills while managing the flow of a live programme.
For Praise, this professional background gives context to her approach to compèring. Rather than treating hosting as simply announcing names or introducing speakers, her profile presents it as a communication discipline requiring both technical preparation and a strong sense of timing.
The Art of Connecting People and Moments
A master of ceremonies occupies a distinctive position at an event. The host is responsible for helping guests understand the programme, introducing speakers and performers, maintaining momentum and providing continuity between different segments.
The role becomes particularly demanding when an event brings together people with different expectations, backgrounds or professional interests. A corporate gathering may require a measured and formal tone, while an entertainment event may call for greater energy, spontaneity and humour. A skilled host must understand these differences and adjust without losing control of the proceedings.
Praise describes her hosting style in terms of professionalism, excellence, charisma and the ability to bring events and broadcasts to life. Her public introduction also emphasises delivering a seamless, enjoyable and professional experience.
These qualities point to the balance that effective event hosting requires. A host needs enough personality to engage an audience, but also the judgement to recognise when to step back and allow a speaker, performer or special moment to take centre stage.
The strongest compèring often appears effortless to guests, even though it depends on preparation, coordination with organisers and the ability to respond calmly when plans change.
Where Broadcast Experience Meets Live Events
Praise’s experience in presentation and production provides another perspective on the work behind a successful event.
Broadcast production requires attention to timing, transitions, content and the relationship between presenters and audiences. Event hosting involves similar responsibilities, but in a live environment where the host must also respond to the room, coordinate with event organisers and work alongside technical and production teams.
This combination makes versatility particularly valuable. A host who understands media production can better appreciate the importance of running orders, speaker introductions, cues and transitions. Meanwhile, experience in front of an audience can strengthen the confidence and communication skills required in broadcasting.
Praise’s public profile brings these professional interests together through her work as a compere, journalist, presenter and producer.
Her stated focus on moderation and interviews is also relevant. Moderating a discussion requires more than speaking confidently: it involves listening, asking clear questions, managing contributions and helping a conversation remain useful to its audience. These skills are increasingly important at conferences, professional gatherings and public discussions.
A Professional Identity Built Around Growth and Connection
Praise uses the name “The Global Giant” as part of her professional identity. Her public introduction presents her as a media professional interested in connecting with clients and audiences across different settings.
In a profession where trust and reputation influence opportunities, a clear personal brand can help organisers understand a host’s strengths and the experience they aim to provide. However, the brand must be supported by professionalism, preparation and the ability to deliver on the day.
Praise’s stated availability across Liberia and Nigeria, including for travel, also reflects the cross-border nature of her professional ambitions. Live events increasingly bring together participants, partners and audiences from different countries, making adaptability and cultural awareness valuable qualities for an event host.
For West Africa’s expanding events and entertainment sectors, professionals who can work across markets have opportunities to connect different audiences and contribute to events that bring people together through business, culture, entertainment and public engagement.
Why the Role of an Event Host Matters
The master of ceremonies is sometimes viewed as a supporting figure, but the quality of hosting can significantly affect how an event is experienced.
A well-prepared host helps guests understand what is happening, gives speakers a clear introduction, maintains the programme’s rhythm and provides continuity when schedules shift. Good hosting can make formal occasions feel welcoming without diminishing their importance, while energetic hosting can help entertainment events sustain audience interest.
The role also requires emotional intelligence. Hosts must read the room, recognise the tone of an occasion and respond appropriately to both planned and unexpected moments. They must balance confidence with respect for the event’s purpose and the people participating in it.
For a professional such as Praise, whose background spans broadcasting and live presentation, these responsibilities form the core of her field. They demonstrate why event hosting is a distinct professional craft rather than simply a talent for speaking in public.
Why Her Nomination Matters
The Event Host (MC) of the Year category at the West African Citizens Awards 2026 recognises professionals who help bring events to life through communication, stage presence and audience engagement.
Praise Paul-Dunbar, professionally known as Praise Ganiyu, brings a combination of broadcast journalism, presentation, production, moderation and event compèring to this recognition. Her public profile highlights a commitment to professionalism, poise, charisma and creating a seamless experience for audiences.
Her nomination also draws attention to the skilled professionals whose work helps events run smoothly but may receive less attention than the principal speakers, performers or honourees. Behind a well-managed programme is a host who understands timing, communication and the responsibility of guiding an audience through an important occasion.
As Liberia and the wider West African region continue to develop their events, media and entertainment industries, experienced hosts remain important to the way people gather, celebrate achievements, exchange ideas and create shared memories.
Praise’s nomination offers an opportunity to recognise her professional work and celebrate the craft of event hosting.
Support Praise Paul-Dunbar
Known professionally as Praise Ganiyu, Praise Paul-Dunbar represents Liberia as a nominee for Event Host (MC) of the Year at the West African Citizens Awards 2026.
This year’s edition carries the theme “Recognizing the Unseen. Celebrating the Exceptional.” It celebrates the creativity, professionalism and contributions of West Africans across different fields.
🗳️ Cast your vote: https://wafricawards.com.ng/official-public-voting/
📋 Read the voting procedures and criteria: https://wafricawards.com.ng/wafric-awards-2026-voting-procedures-and-criteria/
Public voting closes on November 15, 2026. Public votes contribute to the process but do not alone determine the final winners. The final selection also considers nominees’ achievements, contributions and impact in accordance with the published criteria.
West African Citizens Awards 2026
Recognizing the Unseen. Celebrating the Exceptional.
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