Gov. Umo Eno (middle), NIPR President and Chairman of the Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, (5th from left) and others at the conference.
By Dianabasi Effiong
Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has charged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to project the numerous positive transformations, accomplishments, and rich resources of Nigeria and its sub-nationals to the global audience
He gave the charge when he hosted thePresident and Chairman of the Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, and other Council Members of the Institute to a luncheon in Government House, Uyo.
“The NIPR generally is supposed to help our brand as a nation and even at the sub-regional level. Help us build our brand; tell our stories in interesting ways that will encourage investors to come and invest in Nigeria,” he said.
The governor, who frowned at the negative perspective of breaking news in the country, urged the NIPR to change the narrative for good by focusing on development reportage.
“Unfortunately in Nigeria, when you hear ‘breaking news,’ it’s always bad news. I think we can change that narrative, and make our ‘breaking news’ good news that people will look forward to.
“Whether it is the NIPR or the mainstream media, they are all in the same profession. This change of focus of reportage is necessary so that we can keep building our brand as a country, and stop talking down on this beautiful country of ours,” he stated.
He said there was a need for leaders in the country to be encouraged or talked to politely, for them to be encouraged to do better, rather than degrading or seeing them always in a negative way, irrespective of the volume of their good effort to make the nation better.
“Let us encourage our leaders, and make them feel appreciated. Leadership is an onerous responsibility that should be supported and encouraged for better job delivery.
“I’m always of the opinion that if we encourage a leader, the day he doesn’t do well, we should politely and understandably draw his attention to correct what was not so well done. Then, the leader will know that we are sincere with him. Also, in the area that he has done well, we should highlight it for there to be balance in our reportage,” he said.
The governor commended NIPR for the good work it is doing.
He assured them of the Government’s continuous support and partnership to achieve more for Nigeria.
He listed the various development strides of his administration to transform the economy, especially in the area of tourism.
According to the governor, his administration will ensure that the State stands out as a major tourist destination in Nigeria.
“We believe that in the next two years, any visitor to Akwa Ibom State for two or three days would have a handful of sites, locations, and history to see. Just as we are floating our Ibom Air to become the leading airline in Nigeria, we are also developing a tourism hub at Ikot Abasi, the Lord Lugard House, the Slave Trade route, the international conference center, and a hotel, among others.
“We will like to continue to partner with the Institute to assist and guide us, and to tell our stories in the best way possible and even beyond what we, ourselves, can tell. So, you’re most welcome to Akwa Ibom State.”
Earlier, Neliaku commended the governor for running a people-centred administration, and taking tangible and quality developments to rural areas of the state for the majority of the people to have a sense of belonging and benefit.
He particularly appreciated the governor for his remarkable vision and passion for transforming 70 hectares of gully erosion site into a world-class tourist centre, assuring that the Institute would not only beam the exceptional development strides of his administration within Nigeria but also outside the country.
“I took time to look at your development strategy and I realized that your development ideology, the ARISE Agenda, is very critical to the critical areas of development. I studied development, and I can tell it is a good development strategy.
“The five-point agenda of Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance and Advancement, Security Management, and Educational and Health Sector management are quite critical, and all focus on the citizens. Your Excellency, you have got your priorities right,” he said.
At the event were members of the State Executive Council, dignitaries, and officials of Government including the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioner for Information, Hon Aniekan Umanah; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh.
Others were Council members of the Institute, including the wife of the President/Chairman of Council, Mrs. Ike Neliaku; the Vice President, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, and wife; Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, Mr. Akin Agbujelu, Mrs. Adebunmi Adedoyin Badejo, Prof. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, Brig. Gen. S.K. Usman (Rtd), Hajiya, Maryam Mohammed Sanusi, Mrs Thelma Chika Okoh, Comrade Ini Ememobong, Mallam Kabir Ali Kobi, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, Prof. Sarah Benjamin Lwahas, Mr. Adaramola Temitope, Dr. Adewale Oyekanmi, and the Akwa Ibom State Chapter Chairman, Elder Manasseh Umoette among others.
