The House of Representatives and officials of the Ugandan government on Monday commended Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, following his investiture as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.
The event drew political leaders, communication professionals and dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria, highlighting the growing relevance of public relations in governance and national development.
In his address, President and Chairman of the NIPR Governing Council, Ike Neliaku, described Sule as a visionary leader whose contributions to the public relations profession have been practical and far-reaching.
He said the institute had closely monitored developments in Nasarawa State and engaged the governor on areas requiring improvement.
“We acknowledge you as a leader of vision and foresight. When we drew your attention to shortcomings, you responded with commitment and promised decisive action,” he said.
Neliaku noted that the governor’s response to the institute’s earlier assessment led to measurable progress, adding that Nasarawa’s perception rating rose significantly from 30.4 per cent in 2024 to 83.6 per cent in 2026. He said the improvement reflected deliberate efforts to strengthen governance and public communication in the state.
Also speaking, the spokesman for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, praised Sule for supporting initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of public relations professionals. He noted that such efforts would contribute to nation-building and strengthen democratic engagement.
“You are investing in the next generation of public relations experts and promoting gender equity,” Rotimi said, while calling for greater inclusion of women in governance.
In his goodwill message, Special Adviser to the Ugandan government on National Orientation and Transformation, Vincent Anibogu, commended Sule for partnering with the institute to establish a university in Nasarawa State. He stressed that the institution must focus on practical knowledge and innovation.
“We must move beyond producing graduates with certificates alone and begin to train people who can solve real problems,” he said.
Anibogu added that such an approach would position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s development and enhance its global competitiveness.
In his acceptance remarks, Sule apologised for relocating the ceremony from Lafia to Abuja, explaining that his schedule, including an official engagement with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, made it necessary.
He thanked the institute for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to its objectives.
The governor said his growing interest in the institute was driven by its emphasis on leadership, innovation and capacity building, which he described as essential for Nigeria’s progress.
He also pledged continued support for initiatives that promote professionalism and national development.
The ceremony, however, witnessed a brief disruption when the 1,000-capacity hall was plunged into darkness during goodwill messages. Guests and aides resorted to phone torchlights before power was restored shortly afterwards.
