NIPR Tasks South East Leaders on Insecurity, Economy

By Alexander Johnson, Precious Ukeje and Adejumoke Alebiosu

The President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Alhaji Mukhtar Sirajo, has charged governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other relevant stakeholders in the South East Region to work together and remain consistent in their efforts and decisions to tackle insecurity and build a formidable economy for the zone.

The NIPR Chief gave the charge at the 2021 Reputation Summit and Award Ceremony of the NIPR, Anambra State Chapter, held at Hilton Leisure Resort & Hotel, Awka, on Thursday.

Sirajo who was represented by Dr. Ike Neliaku, further said that the Institute was determined to take necessary actions to introduce innovation and reforms aimed at strengthening and enhancing the practice of public relations in the country.

Declaring the event open, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by his Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, stated that in spite of security challenges threatening Nigeria, Anambra State would continue to remain the most peaceful and safest in the country.

He reiterated that the state had scored high in transparency and financial integrity and promised to uphold the good reputations of the government.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Dr. Uche Nworah, described the theme of the event as apt, especially now that the issue of insecurity had become persistently worrying in Nigeria.

While thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve the government, Dr. Nworah urged the members of the Institute to build on solid reputations that would attract more development to the state and beyond.

For her part, the State Chairman of the Institute, Professor Stella Okunna, called on public relations practitioners to be of good conduct while discharging their duties.

Speaking on the theme of the Summit, “Security Challenges In Nigeria: Implications for National Stability”, the Summit Speaker, Professor Angela Nwamuo, of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, described the event as significant and proffered a pragmatic solution to the raging crises affecting the nation’s stability.

The event was used to recognize those who had continued to promote the good reputations of the public relations profession in the state.

Among the recipients were the former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in Anambra State, Professor Stella Okunna; the Acting Registrar, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu; former Federal Road Safety Corp FRSC Anambra State Command, Mr. Andrew Kumakpayi, and the National Youth Service Corps State Co-ordinator, Mr. Kehinde Aremu.