In line with the Institute’s belief in good governance and development at all levels, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) recently initiated the “Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe lecture series”. The Lecture is in honour of the highly respected Obi of Onitsha, a distinguished Fellow of the Institute.
Inaugurating the maiden edition of the Lecture in Anambra State, the President and Chairman of Governing Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said that the Institute approved the initiative based on distinct values, which include the character and personality of the honouree, His Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha.
Dr. Neliaku remarked that the initiative marked the first time such an honour was done to a living Icon, noting that as one of the Institute’s best Fellows, the NIPR will continue to recognise Achebe’s professional style of leadership as a first class traditional ruler.
He commended the host institution, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University for ensuring that the staff of its Public Relations Department are all members of the NIPR as required by the law establishing the Institute.
Speaking at the Inaugural Lecture with the theme: “Traditional Institutions, Public Relations and Governance In Contemporary Nigeria”, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye extolled the traditional institution for its developmental roles at the grassroot, urging the government to recognise the traditional institution as a critical governance structure through assigning of constitutional roles to them.
The event, which was hosted by the Anambra State Chapter of the NIPR attracted members of the Institute’s Governing Council, representatives of Anambra State Government, National Assembly, Traditional Institutions and other dignitaries within and outside the state.
