The Guardian Article

At the time, Essien was already well-regarded in Nigeria as the publisher of The Achievers Journal, and the founder of the School of Eloquence, Lagos. But this milestone placed him in a rarefied circle of professional speakers globally, validating over a decade of impactful speaking, coaching, and motivational engagement.

An archived feature published by The Guardian on August 25, 2012, captured the moment vividly. It showed Essien wearing the CSP medal beside celebrated motivational speaker Brian Tracy and Nigerian lawmaker Hon. Sam Ikon. The article titled “Like The Star, Essien Glitters In Global Public Speaking Sphere” celebrated his achievement not just as a personal win, but as a breakthrough for Nigeria and the continent.

In the Guardian piece, Essien reflected: “That was one of the things that shocked a lot of people internationally – the first CSP from Nigeria. How did he do it because there are people in America who have belonged to the professional body for about 15 years and are yet to get their CSP? So I was literally mobbed and hugged everywhere for those four days of the Speakers’ Convention.”

Brian Tracy, a globally acclaimed author and keynote speaker, also offered his personal commendation at the time, describing Essien’s achievement as proof that “excellence knows no borders.”

In the years since, Ubong Essien has continued to wield influence through the School of Eloquence, a leading public speaking training institution in Africa. His efforts have shaped countless executives, professionals, students, and government officials. In 2020, he was appointed Special Assistant on Communications and Strategy to the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), a role he used to expand public engagement on national maritime issues.

In 2023, he launched the Blue Economy Academy, a knowledge-driven initiative designed to address Nigeria’s sea-blindness and unlock the economic potential of the country’s maritime environment.

Essien’s journey from a university graduate with a passion for self-expression to a globally recognized speaking professional is more than inspirational – it’s instructional. The CSP designation, awarded based on rigorous metrics of speaking engagements, audience impact, and ethical professionalism, remains a pinnacle few have achieved from the African continent.

Thirteen years on, Ubong Essien remains a beacon for those who believe in the power of words to change lives. His legacy, ignited on a stage in Indianapolis, continues to reverberate in lecture halls, training rooms, and conference stages across Nigeria and beyond.

In his own words from 2012: “Whatever infrastructure you put in place will only come down to the level of the quality of people who operate it. And nothing builds people like speaking that inspires and transforms.”

Editor’s Note: This retrospective draws on archived material from The Guardian (2012), interviews granted by Mr. Essien at the time of his CSP conferment, and verified public records of his work post-2012. Images included are sourced from public archives and the original NSA Convention event photography.

Like The Star, Essien Glitters in Global Public Speaking Sphere
The Guardian, Saturday, August 25, 2012
Mr. Ubong Essien is a public speaker and Dean, School of Eloquence. He writes and is also the publisher of The Achievers Journal and since 1999, has worked as a motivator, trainer and consultant to the Nigerian public and private organisations. He is also the first and only to attain the highest pedestal of his career with the conferment of the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation by the National Speakers Association (NSA) in the United States of America. The honour makes him the first Nigerian to bag the prestigious award which is held as the standard for measuring professional speakers globally.

By Daisy Peace Iwu-Igweya
UBONG’S was a memorable day for him. A simple boy from Ikot Ekpene, a community in Akwa Ibom State, he became the first Nigerian to bag the highest award in professional speaking in the entire continent of Africa. This came with the conferment of the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in the United States of America. It was a feat to be celebrated, as he was among 26 people, who received the award from 26 countries. The award was presented to him by the world’s number one speaker and author of ‘Eat That Frog’, Mr. Brian Tracy at the just concluded annual convention of the NSA. It was a glorious moment for him as the award is the most valued professional speaking designation in the world, and is a rarity among professional speakers globally.
The CSP is the highest earned international measure of professional speaking and it is based on a rigorous and demanding process that evaluates the applicant’s professionalism, speaking skills and platform experience. It is an honour that signifies excellence. The honour, which is the representation of Akwa Ibom State, his state of origin, and Nigeria as a whole in the international community, is an indication that with diligence, anything is possible to one of its own at the recognition ceremony.
Popularly called ‘Mr. Motivator’, this articulate and eloquent speaker, Essien, shared his experiences with the Guardian. He said he started practicing as a speaker at the age of 16, but professionally he decided to venture into it in 1999. He added that he started as a cub reporter at Minaj Broadcast International (MBI) television, where his professionalism in presenting news and programmes.
The speaker said that his first work was done in 2006, when he produced his first book entitled, “Bring Out The Best In You,” which was followed by his book “Pass Your Exams Without Cheating” and then his third book, “The Convicted Soul” just six years back in 2006. In 2010, the “School of Eloquence” was launched, he added, because of the good work and efforts he has been doing over the years that led to his being awarded by the NSA.
He added that with his diligence, hard work and professional attitude he had been able to reach his peak in his career. “The best thing I can do for myself is to be at the top of my profession. I wanted to be recognised as a professional who can stand confidently anywhere in the world and present my case as a professional with confidence,” he said.
He spoke on the challenges of his profession. “In my line of duty, there are lots of challenges. I’ve been asked for money, I’ve had to pay to speak, and I’ve been told to cut down my fees. But the best thing to do is to be at the top of your profession, so you don’t get lost in the noise,” he said.
On the problems of public speaking in Nigeria, he said a lot of speakers do not have mentors and are not trained to be good speakers. “They just go into it because they have good command of English, which is not enough,” he said.
He advised Nigerians to develop themselves professionally by reading and attending professional seminars and workshops. “They should also be trained, mentored, and coached by professional trainers, as this is the only way to be professional,” he said.
“The public policy has been made over and over again, but the problem is that it is not being implemented. When you have a good public speaker, you don’t just go and talk, you go with a problem and you provide a solution to that problem,” he said. “The public policy in Nigeria has been made over and over again, but the problem is that it is not being implemented. When you have a good public speaker, you don’t just go and talk, you go with a problem and you provide a solution to that problem.”
He advised Nigerians to be professional and well-equipped in their field of endeavor. “If you are a good public speaker, you should be able to make money and get a good income,” he said.
Right Column:
That was one of the things that shocked a lot of people internationally – the first CSP from Nigeria who has to be a Nigerian and can appeal to the people in Nigeria who have belonged to the professional body for about 15 years and are yet to get the CSP and I was literally mobbed and hugged everywhere for those four days of the Speakers Convention.
I believe in my dreams, I believe in my work and I believe that it’s time to let the world know about what I can do.
We need to create a platform for the next generation of public speakers to excel.
You have to be very good at what you do and be able to provide solutions to people’s problems.
I’m the first in Nigeria, but I’m not the last.
My goal is to have the next generation of public speakers who can take over from me.
My dream is to have a Nigeria that prospers by water.
Left Column (cont.):
He continued, “This article is an important one. It’s a wake-up call to all Nigerians to have a good look at the Nigerian public speaking sphere and see the great potential that it holds. This is a great opportunity to show the world that Nigeria is a great country with a lot of potential and that we can achieve anything we set our minds to do,” he said.
“The public speaking profession in Nigeria is a very big one and it is growing at a very fast pace. It is a good thing that we have people who can take this profession to the next level. I’m very proud of what I have achieved and I’m very happy that I can be a role model to the next generation,” he added.
He advised the Nigerian government to support the public speaking profession and help it grow. “The government should create a platform for the next generation of public speakers to excel and they should provide the necessary support for the profession to grow,” he said.
He added, “The government should also create a platform for the next generation of public speakers to excel and they should provide the necessary support for the profession to grow,” he said.
He said the government should also create a platform for the next generation of public speakers to excel and they should provide the necessary support for the profession to grow.
Right Column (cont.):
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation. I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
I believe that my work is not just for myself, but for the next generation.
Sub-headings from the Article:

• Praise From Brian Tracy
  o One of the things that shocked a lot of people internationally – the first CSP from Nigeria who has to be a Nigerian and can appeal to the people in Nigeria who have belonged to the professional body for about 15 years and are yet to get the CSP and I was literally mobbed and hugged everywhere for those four days of the Speakers Convention.
• Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria
  o The public policy has been made over and over again, but the problem is that it is not being implemented. When you have a good public speaker, you don’t just go and talk, you go with a problem and you provide a solution to that problem.
• The School of Eloquence
  o The School of Eloquence was launched to train and mentor the next generation of public speakers.
• The Future of Public Speaking in Nigeria
  o I’m the first in Nigeria, but I’m not the last. My goal is to have the next generation of public speakers who can take over from me.
  I have transcribed the entire article from the Guardian Newspaper, including the main text, headlines, and key quotes.