The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has bestowed on the Governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Senator Bassey Otu, the esteemed honour of Patron.
The investiture, which was held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, was performed by the Chairman of the NIPR Governing Council and National President, Dr. Ike Neliaku.
Dr. Neliaku, who stated that the ceremony was in line with the provisions of the NIPR Act CAP N114, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, said the institute was in Cross River State to honour, “A leader and celebrate a man committed to humanity and value-driven governance.”
According to Nelaiku, Governor Otu deserved to be celebrated for initiating projects of economic value across critical sectors of the state economy, saying, “We are delighted to perform this ceremony because we are a reputation-driven institute.
“We do not throw our reputation around, rather we identify and align with individuals, who are equally committed to upholding and advancing it,” he stated.
Nelaiku pointed out that Governor Otu’s new role as Patron of the institute saddles on him the responsibility of serving as a guiding light in promoting, “The NIPR’s code of ethics, professional standards and commitment to building a reputation-conscious society that respects the dignity of all.”
In response to the grand gesture, the Governor Senator Bassey Otu expressed gratitude to the institute for according him the honour as Patron and reiterated his commitment to humanity, which remains the basis of his People First agenda.
Otu with enthusiasm stated, “In everything I do, humanity comes first. You have reminded me that it is only humanity that will endure.”
During his remarks, the governor emphasized the importance of perception and relationships in governance and urged citizens to promote unity, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect.
He acknowledged that while his administration has made efforts across various sectors, his administration was tackling challenges in other sectors such as transportation and assured of developing policies to enshrine lasting sectoral reforms.
The governor also urged Nigerians to uphold integrity, safeguard Nigeria’s image within and in the diaspora and commended the institute for measures in place to uphold professionalism.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NIPR Governing Council and National President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, who was on a two-day visit to Cross River State undertook a tour of completed and ongoing projects in Calabar.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang and other members of the Cross River State chapter of institute, who received the National President on arrivals in Calabar, led him on a guided tour of the projects.