Creative industry practitioner, Jonathan Nii Layea popularly known as Jonilar, has spoken candidly about receiving his first-ever award after many years in the creative arts, describing the moment as deeply meaningful and long overdue.
In a post shared on his socials, Jonilar revealed that the recognition marked the first award of his career, a development he admitted might surprise many people.
According to him, the delay was not due to lack of impact or relevance, but rather his long-held personal stance on how awards should be earned.
Jonilar explained that he has consistently maintained that awards should be a genuine recognition, willingly endorsed by the public, rather than a process that involves filing for nominations, lobbying, or asking people to vote with money. He noted that such systems often feel like a compromise of true achievement.
“For a very long time, I’ve maintained a strong position that awards should be a recognition genuinely and willingly endorsed by the public.
“The concept of having to file for nomination, lobby to be considered, and then ask the public to vote with money feels like you haven’t truly achieved anything,” he wrote.
The creative said he has rejected numerous award nominations in the past, a decision that some people have interpreted as arrogance. However, he clarified that his actions are rooted in principle, not pride. He stressed that even award schemes he has previously worked with are aware of his firm position on fairness and accountability, values he says he has never compromised.
Jonilar further disclosed that the award he recently received was an “Honorary Award” from the Volta Region, a place he described as his homeland and one that holds a special place in his heart. He emphasized that the award required no payment or lobbying and was instead strongly endorsed by the public. He added that the honor even came with a monetary reward.
“This particular “Honorary Award,” coming from a region dear to my heart, required no payment. In fact, it came with money. I didn’t lobby to be nominated; it was heavily endorsed by the public. And to be awarded in front of thousands of people, alongside respected Elorm Beenie, Godfather Edem, and two others I don’t yet know, is deeply satisfying and ENOUGH for me,” he added.
Expressing gratitude, Jonilar said being recognized in front of thousands of people, alongside respected personalities such as Elorm Beenie, Godfather Edem, and others, was deeply satisfying and more than enough for him.
He concluded by stating that even if he never receives another award in his career, he will always remember that his first recognition came as an honorary award from his motherland, the Volta Region. He also extended special thanks to Eric Edem Agbana for making the honor possible.
