ONENESS OF NIGERIA : EMEMOBONG TASKS FED GOVT ON A UNIFYING COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
With spates of insecurity, impunity and disunity ravaging the Nigerian polity, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy has called on the Federal Government to come out with a Communication strategy that will help to unite and keep Nigerians as one.
Comrade Ini Ememobong gave the task Friday, 2nd July in Uyo, during the 7th Chief O.W. Udoh Memorial Lecture /Dinner /Award night of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, held at Duellaz Event Centre at Ewet Housing Estate in the capital city of Akwa Ibom State.
The Information Commissioner opined that, when the different component states of Nigeria continue to see and speak with discordant tunes due to insecurity challenges and varying degree of impunity mounted on them, there is bound to be dissenting voices which may dovetail into disagreements and may degenerate into disintegration.
He therefore called on the Federal government to come out with an all-encompassing well designed communication strategy that will assuage the bitterness of Nigerians in some parts of the country and give them a sense of belonging and hope as a people living in one united country where the interest of all parts are taken into consideration.
The Akwa Ibom State spokesman wondered how the people in some parts of Nigeria like Bornu, Benue, Imo and Enugu states, who feel the heat of bandattry, killings, rapping and genearal insecurity will be able to paint the picture of Nigeria as a united country with oneness, in the same way and manner as the people from states in the North central part of the country.
He therefore advocated for a round table confab by all Commissioners of Information in the 36 States of the country with the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammad, where a communication Strategy can be evolved, tailored at quenching the fiery dissenting voices of some aggrieved Nigerians as well as broker peace and oneness among all sections of Nigeria.
Comrade Ini Ememobong congratulated the State NIPR, under the leadership of the two-term Chairman, Mr. Nsemeke Udoakpan for the successful outing especially in bringing together such crop of personalities to the event like Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, who presented the memorial Lecture, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, who chaired the occasion as well as the National President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo.
Speaking, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Mr. Nsemeke Udoakpan, said the dinner which came after the Annual General Meeting, AGM of the Institute, was an annual ritual of the institute for self appraisal as well as an avenue to strategize for the future.
While acknowledging that the event marked the end of his first term and the commencement of his second term as Chapter Chairman of the Institute, Mr. Nsemeke Udoakpan expressed appreciation to all who have contributed towards the successful hosting of the ceremony and the guests for coming out to add pep to the Award/Dinner night.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of a memorial lecture on the theme – “Strengthening Nigeria’s Unity Through Effective Strategic Communication: A Public Relations Approach” by the President of African Public Relations Association, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and award presentation to eminent Akwa Ibom people including:
the Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Opulupum Ette, (Award of Excellence in Capacity Development) the Director General of the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC, Pastor Anietie Ukpe (Award of Excellence in Professionalism), and the Coordinator of the Uyo Study Centre of NIPR, Mr. Uduak Obot (Award of Excellence in Human Capacity Development) among others.
Among those who attended the event were: Senator Effiong Bob; Sir Emem Akpabio; Obong Kingsley Mbre; Mkpisong Ememobong Essien, Obong Kingsley Peters, Mr. Daniel Udo (North-South) and the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk.
IBOM VOICE MEDIA 