“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,” Governor Umo Eno charged the body.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, further 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 outside world.
The Governor gave the charge when he hosted the President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, and other Council Members of the Institute to a luncheon in Government House, Uyo.
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“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.
He frowned at the negative perspective of breaking news in the country and 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.
Eno said there was 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 lauded NIPR for the good works it is doing and assured them of Government’s continuous support and partnership to achieve more for the country.
He rolled out various development strides of his administration to include transformation of the economy, especially in the area of tourism which he said will ensure the State stands out as a major tourist destination in the country.
“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 tourism hub at Ikot Abasi, the Lord Lugard House, the Slave Trade route, the international conference centre and 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, Dr. Neliaku had commended the Governor for running a people-centred administration, and taking tangible and quality developments to rural areas of the State for majority of people to have a sense of belonging and benefit.
Neliaku particularly appreciated the Governor for his remarkable vision and passion to transform a 70 hectares of gully erosion site into a world class tourist centre, assuring that the Institute will 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 focuses on the citizens. Your Excellency, you have got your priorities right,” the NIPR President stated.
At the event were such Council members of the Institute as wife of the President/Chairman of Council, Mrs Ike Neliaku; the Vice President, Prof. Emmanuel S. 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 Enyndah Nsirim, Prof. Sarah Benjamin Lwahas, Mr. Adaramola Temitope, Dr. Adewale Oladipo Oyekanmi, and the Akwa Ibom State Chapter Chairman, Elder Manasseh Umoette, among others.
Governor raises Aides monthly salary to N500,000
In another development, Governor Eno, has announced plans to recommence another phase of distribution of free food to the poorest of the poor across the State under the Food Security programme of his administration.
Announcing the plan during a meeting with his 368 ward Personal Assistants at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, he advised them to be committed to the programme by ensuring that the palliative get to the targeted beneficiaries. I’m
He used the occasion to announce an increase in their monthly salary from N250,000 to N500,000 with effect from November 2024, an announcement that was received with uncontrollable joy and declaration of support for the Governor beyond 2027.
In a message of gratitude, the Dean of the College of Ward Personal Assistants, Aniefiok James, said they were overwhelmed by the Governor’s benevolence and deep commitment to their welfare and that of Akwa Ibom people in general.
He pledged the unwavering support of the college to the ARISE Agenda and the Governor’s political future.
