New Telegraph’s award:
NIPR President hails UNILORIN’s rising profile
The National President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku fnipr, has joined other well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the University of Ilorin under its current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, leading to its recent recognition as Nigeria’s Outstanding University of the Year 2023 by the New Telegraph newspaper.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor penultimate Tuesday (January 30, 2024), Dr Neliaku said that the award granted the University by the New Telegraph newspaper highlighted the transformative strides made under the leadership of Prof. Egbewole within his first year in office.
Dr Neliaku, who has served in the Office of the Political Adviser to the President of Nigeria from 2003 to 2006, thanked Prof. Egbewole and his team for what they accomplished within a year. He also commended the University’s commitment to maintaining the lowest tuition fees in the country.
He explained that despite the challenging economic climate, the Vice Chancellor’s consideration for the financial well-being of the less privileged has not gone unnoticed.
While commending Prof. Egbewole for his visionary approach to leadership, the NIPR leader said, “We identify with your Vision 1:10:500, which looks very tall but accomplishable. A man without a vision is a stunted fool. It is when you have a vision that you keep growing towards your vision”.
He commended the Vice Chancellor for demonstrating a profound interest in the NIPR, noting that the promotion of professionalism was evident in the Vice Chancellor’s endeavours.
Dr Neliaku said that as a distinguished lawyer, Professor, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the Vice Chancellor’s understanding of the values of professionalism aligns with the NIPR’s motto.
While noting that Prof. Egbewole has been practicing Public Relations since birth, attributing this to his current success, the NIPR President, nevertheless, inducted the Vice Chancellor as a full member of the NIPR.
According to him, the induction of the Vice Chancellor into the Institute underscores the significance of his contributions to the field of Public Relations and his commitment to excellence. “Others who are practicing the profession haven’t done as much as you have done. You have been encouraging your staff, sponsoring them to attend conferences and other programmes. We are proud of you”.
The NIPR National President also explained the importance of recognising and appreciating achievements while individuals are still alive, saying, “That is how it ought to be. You don’t wait until the person has gone before you remember them; remember him when he is alive”.
Dr. Neliaku also seized the occasion to appreciate the Vice Chancellor for supporting a former Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Saudat Salah-Abdulbaqi, to become a Council Member of the professional association.
He explained that ‘‘Dr Abdulbaqi has been one of the most profound members of the Council. Since she came into the Council, she has added a lot of value and has been a wonderful ambassador of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, and especially of Prof. Egbewole”.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor expressed his appreciation to the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
While identifying with the Institute’s initiatives, Prof. Egbewole affirmed his commitment to collaboration for mutual development.
On his support for Dr Abdulbaqi to become a Council member of the NIPR, the Vice Chancellor said supporting her aspiration and ambition was a recognition for the entire family. “We may be a large family of about 65,000 in the University community, but every member matters, and every aspiration is significant to us”.
Reacting to the comprehensive array of programmes presented by the NIPR Council aimed at enhancing the quality of service delivery to its members, the Vice Chancellor acknowledged the Institute’s commitment to excellence.
He said, “All the programmes that you have raised to improve the quality of service delivery of your members confirm that NIPR is indeed an institution that we should play a more prominent role in”.
While explaining the importance of collaboration between the University of Ilorin and the NIPR, the Vice Chancellor expressed optimism about the synergies between the two organisations, in order to contribute to the development of Nigeria”.
The Vice Chancellor extended his gratitude to the University’s own Public Relations team in the Directorate of Corporate Affairs headed by a veteran journalist, Mr Kunle Akogun, for the outstanding work they are doing. saying that effective communication is very crucial in fostering positive relationships and advancing common goals among the University’s stakeholders.
Also speaking, a Council member of the NIPR, Dr Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi said that the National President of NIPR has been informed about the tremendous support the Vice Chancellor has provided to the cause of NIPR in the state, including sponsoring staff of the University of Ilorin to attend NIPR conferences.
Dr Abdulbaqi, who is the immediate past Chairperson of NIPR in Kwara State, added that Dr Neliaku had previously directed the State Chapter to send a letter of appreciation to the Vice Chancellor in recognition of his support for the Institute and for being a PR person himself.
Joining the Vice Chancellor to receive the NIPR team was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali; the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, mnipr; the Protocol Officer to the Vice Chancellor, Mr Oluwasegun Alabi, the Senior Information Officer, Registrar’s Office, Mr Temitope Omoniyi, and the Principal Information Officer, Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Mustafa Abubakar.
Other members of the NIPR team were the Vice President, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura; a Council Member, Dr Ahmed Sajoh; Alhaji Sa’ad Salahudeen, Advisor & Counsellor to Kwara State Governor; Mr Franklin Ginger, Mr Stanley Ogadigbo, Director PR of the NIPR; Mr Ishola Gbenga, Ag. Chairman NIPR Kwara State; Mall Abdul-Rahman Sanni, Kwara State Secretary; Mrs. Ayobami Ashaolu, Member NIPR Kwara Chapter; and Mrs Damilola Omole, Member NIPR Kwara Chapter.