By Ovat Abeng
The Nigerian Institute For Public Relations (NIPR) Anambra State chapter, on Friday, 13th March, 2026 held its Annual General Meeting and Summit at International Convention Center(ICC), Awka, Anambra State.
The event which was chaired by Barr Chukwudi Oli also witnessed the presence of the Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, national leaders of the institute from Abuja and many other dignitaries from government agencies and media houses within and outside Anambra State.
The President of the institute, Dr Ike Neliaku congratulated Gov Soludo on the renewal of his mandate for another four years in office and urged him to increase the tempo of his developmental projects from solution to power one to solution to power five in the next four years.
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Neliaku stated that most times people do not understand the weight of public relations, emphasizing that public relation is not journalism, broadcasting, film production or event management but rather the totality of relationship and strategic way of doing things differently to achieve the desired result.
“Public relation is the only profession that is practised on earth and also practised in heaven. Lawyers are not needed in heaven, because all the issues would have been discussed and settled. Doctors are not required because nobody gets sick. Pharmacists are out of business. Engineers wouldn’t have any construction to do. Even Economists wouldn’t have a place in heaven because the issue would have been discussed. Food is plenty, everything is served. Only Communication and relating so well remain”.
The president of the institute expressed his happiness to have the governor in the occasion and promised that the institute would support him for what he is doing in Anambra State.
On his part, the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo charged the leadership of the NIPR to focus on the fundamental thing, which is Anambra Rebirth and Reputation Management, emphasizing that Anambra is well known for enterprise and integrity, and not criminal idolatry.
He condemned the rate at which youths of Anambra State are going into criminal idolatry and quick money syndrome, stating that prisons all over the world are filled with Anambra youths,who were deceived by evil native doctors.
Gov Soludo promised to intensify his fight against criminal idolatry and quick money syndrome in order to restore the reputation of Anambra State which has seemed to be destroyed by the 1% loudest criminal native doctors.
One of the Awardees,Igwe Alex Onyido of Ogidi community praised Gov Soludo for his achievements in all the sectors of the economy in the last four years in office and urged him to improve on his fight against cultism, kidnappings,land grabbing, banditry, advising him to wipe them out of Anambra State as he wiped out Ndi Oke-ite and Ezenwanyi.
The state State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, while addressing journalists at the event, stated that reputation is everything, and from his psychological research, he discovered that perception is bigger than reality.
According to him, there is urgent need for people to really think more seriously about their image, because if perception can be magnified in a negative way against an individual, organization, then the outcome can only be imagined.
“From us in government, and my office as Commissioner for Information, that is speaking for the government, all I try to do is to push government’s image out there, brand it as much as I can, so that it can be positively received by the people,” Dr Mefor noted.
Dr Mefor reiterated that reputation is everything that someone could spend a whole decade to build but lose it in one moment, adding that reputation is an ongoing process that requires constant rebranding and moving with time, and also taking positive perception along the way.
The Chairman of the occasion,Barr Chukwudi Oli stated that the importance of reputation in life cannot be overemphasized, describing reputation as a capital that could make people to stand and vouch for you.
“If you have reputation, you can pick up your phone and get anything you want. Back in the days when our forefathers were not trading with capital but with reputation. They would order for goods, sell and pay back but right now, you cannot do that again because of what we are seeing in our environment”.
Barr Oli further stated that the topic, “Reputation Management” is very apt, because reputation is everything a man needs in this world to succeed. He advised the youth to be disciplined, focused on hardwork and honest, because there is time for everything. He equally advised them to wait for their time which must surely come, and when it comes,there is nothing anybody can do about it.
He added that making money is one thing and sustaining it is another thing. “That is why reputation is key in everything we do”.
Engr Kingsley Okonkwo,who is also an Awardee, expressed his gratitude to NIPR and described his selection for the Life Reputation Management Award as very surprising to him, noting that he did not know why, how and when he was selected for the award.
He therefore advised the general public to always know that whatever they do in this life, people are watching their back, saying that the award will motivate him to continue doing more of whatever he is doing.
He expressed his gratitude to NIPR for recognizing and believing in him, and for picking him from the lots, promising that he will not disappoint them.
In his appreciation, the local organizing committee chairman, Dr Nelson Obinna Omenugha, thanked the governor and other dignitaries for honouring the invitation.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of award plaques, towels and other gift items to Gov Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Barr Chukwudi Oli, Life Reputation Management and Young Reputation Champions Awardees.
