Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and one of his predecessors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel have tasked the media and members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR to always partner government in projecting the country positively to the global community, so as to attract the much needed foreign direct Investment, capable of transforming its economy for the interest of Nigerians
Abiodun represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile gave the charge in Abeokuta on Thursday, during a maiden edition of " Your Image Awards" and Public Lecture jointly organized by NIPR and PR Primus Limited to reward excellence in public service and address the issues of National Interest targeted at repositioning the country for good
The governor who was the Chief Host at the event held inside Park Inn by Radisson, solicitated the support of members of NIPR in projecting the visible achievements of his administration in the areas of Infrastructural development, saying over 400 kilometers of roads reconstructed across the three Senatorial Districts of the state in addition to upgrading of public health facilities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels and major renovation of public primary and secondary schools in the past three years
Similarly, the chairman of the event and former governor, Otunba Daniel stressed the importance of projecting the country positively to the global community, expressing concern that Nigeria is not well presented in terms of its major achievements
He however advocated the need for Public Relations experts to be given a bigger role in the Nigeria-project , saying government and corporate organizations should make more financial resources available to the Public Relations programmes and activities to achieve the desired results while commending PR-Primus Limited for sustaining high quality
professional magazine which was later launched by him after its public presentation
In his remarks, President and Chairman, Governing Council of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo who lamented the widening trust gaps amongst components units, individuals and also between government and the people, stressed that the institute would continue to preach love, good neighbourliness and performance to rebuild trust amongst the federating units
"It is our hope that once we can build trust and understanding even in the midst of our political, ethnic and religious differences our dear country would be on a fast lane of progress and sustainable development. I dare say that our diversity remains our greatest asset" , he stated
Speaking on the theme of the public lecture,"Turning Around The Nation: The Leadership Question", President of African Public Relations Association ( APRA), Yomi Badejo-Okusanya expressed concern that those who emerged as leaders have not been providing the right leadership for things to work in the country
Badejo-Okusanya speaking through zoom meeting, however stressed the need for Nigerians to look beyond ethnicity, religion and other sentiment in electing leaders who have capacity, clear vision and boldness of leading the country to desired destination, somebody who can redefine governance and bridge the communication gap between government and people
Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of PR-Primus Limited, Akin Okudero who is a Fellow of NIPR , expressed the readiness of his organization to sustain annual award as part of its contributions to the development of true leaders in the country
I believe that with the sustainance of this annual award we would be making our contributions to the development of true leadership qualities among our people, especially those who find themselves in positions of authority" , he assured
Okudero recalled how PR-Primus Limited had been increasing the visibility of products/services, reputation, assisting in sales process adding value to its clients in the last eight years
He lauded the pioneering role of Ogun State Television in supporting "YOUR IMAGE" a PR programme which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa
Reviewing the special edition of PR-Primus Magazine, Prof .Lai Oso recommended the magazine for every PR practitioners and Nigerians describing its as a well packaged journal loaded with a lot of highly educated and informative articles and stories
High points of the event were public presentation and launching of the PR-Primus Magazine and appreciation of the individuals who distinguished themselves in various aspects of life
The awardees include Chief (Dr) Fassy Yusuff, a former Secretary General and counçil's member of NIPR who emerged as the Outstanding PR Icon of the year, Rasheed Bolarinwa, a president of Association of Corporate and Marketing Communication Professionals (ACAMB) who bagged the Outstanding PR Professional of the year and the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Universitity of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako who was adjudged as the Outstanding Personality of the year
Award to VC of FUNAAB represented by the Universitity's Librarian Prof. Feyintola Onifade
Others are Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila who emerged as the Outstanding PR Friendly CEO of the year, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Architect Olusegun Aluko, PhD as the Outstanding Corporate Good Governance Award of the year and former two term Rector of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Engr, Dr.(Mrs) Olufunke O. Akinkurolere, an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering who bagged the Outstanding Innovation In Leadership Award of the year
Dignitaries who graced the event PR icon, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, veteran journalist, Eddy Aina, Board Chairman of OGTV, Amb. Tunde Oladunjoye , General Manager of the station, Tunde Kazeem and Ogun State chairman of NIPR, Lekan Togunwa amongst others
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