By OKON OKON

Dr Ike Neliaku, President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), says Nigeria will soon establish the first Public Relations and Leadership University in the world.

Neliaku said this at the 2024 Annual Conference organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the NIPR on Thursday in Abuja.

The conference Is with the theme, ?Leadership and Economy Transformation??.

The NIPR boss said that the reason behind the vision was to train the next generation of leaders in Nigeria, having noticed the communication gap between leadership and fellowship.

?For us at the NIPR, we believe strongly that you cannot lead well if you cannot communicate effectively.

?We have seen nations, those who understand the value of communication and take it very seriously. That is why they look for experts in communication to guide them, be beside them, direct them and to communicate with them.

?It is for this reason that the governing council of this institute decided to establish the Public Relations and Leadership University in Nigeria,? he said.

He said that the Nasarawa State government had already decided to partner with the institute to ensure the success of the plan which had already been approved by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication management.

?Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State is willing and happy to give us land; give us support that is required to ensure that the institute is built.

?I am happy to announce that this university has already been accepted by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication management.

?That is the platform of 126 countries and organisations who are practicing public relations,? he said.

According to him, this is the first of its kind in the world.

?There is no other place with a university of public relations, and I can assure you that graduates from this university will be recognised in 126 countries across the world,? he said.

A prominent entrepreneur, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, lauded NIPR for the choice of the theme for the conference.

Okonkwo said that it would set an agenda for Nigeria towards developing and institutionalising the type of leadership that would change the leadership crisis faced by the country.

?Perhaps from here, we may set an agenda for nationalists call towards developing and institutionalising the type of leadership that would change our country by radically transforming the economy,? he said.

Okonkwo said that it could be achieved by aligning the country towards a sustainable future through the process of meaningful resource management and transparent governance.

Also, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, said that the NIPR?s mission of creating positive narrative to professionalism and excellence among its members was highly recommended by the government.

?I wish to note that the institute has been at the forefront of shaping the communication terrain and elevating the standard of public relations practice in Nigeria.

?It is, thereby, creating a conducive environment for advancing unbiased dissemination of information and contributing immensely to Nigeria?s socio-economic activities,? he said.

Earlier, Mr Stanley Ogadigo, Chairman of NIPR, FCT Chapter, said that leadership was a vital instrument to address Nigeria?s present economic challenges, hence the theme and call for the gathering to discuss ways forward. (NAN)

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