By Nkechi Ikenwoke
There was remarkable turn out as people from all walks of life gathered to grace the occasion of a maiden lecture of the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, held at the ETF Auditorium, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus.
The theme of the lecture, “Traditional Institutions, Public Relations and Governance in Contemporary Nigeria” was presented by the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, who described Obi of Onitsha as a man with a very sound and strong family, as well as good educational background, which attracted good governance in his Onitsha Ancient Kingdom.
Speaking further about traditional institutions as it includes family, religion, marriage, education, and kingship, Rev Ajakaye noted that good governance has continued to be belittled as unimportant among Nigerians due to lack of fear of God, adding that leaders at all levels should maintain good governance as Nigerians look forward to having a leader with respect, trustworthy, honesty and sound in all areas of life.
Earlier in his speech during the lectures, the chairman of the occasion and Past President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr. Bobo Brown also described Obi Achebe as an endless story of God’s own writing in Nigeria’s conscience whose name opens doors, and lights paths with unimaginable intellectual capacity.
He further commended Anambra State chapter of the NIPR for their courage to bring back the culture of translating ideas into action, especially in the spirit of NIPR.
Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Greg Nwakoby welcomed all the attendees and commended the NIPR for their activeness across and beyond Nigeria, which targets on promoting the corporate coexistence, nation building and rebranding of the nation’s image, noting that the university has always mandated that only certified members of NIPR would head the Institution’s Public Relations Unit to ensure excellence and professionalism.
Chairman of NIPR, Anambra State Chapter, Prof. Angela Nwammuo said that the plan to actualise the maiden lecture would have been achieved about 11 months ago, to initiate how the state chapter of NIPR would assist in promotion of PR practices in Nigeria, and also to honour Obi Achebe for his contributions towards promoting the practices even in his day to day life.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, thanked Prof. Greg Nwakoby for partnering NIPR, Anambra State Chapter to achieve the success of the event, stating that the maiden lecture to celebrate Obi Achebe has become the best of its kind, as it is better to celebrate the living than when they are dead.
In his response, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe thanked God for the successful outcome of the event, and also charged the attendees to take all necessary precautions raised during the lectures to reshape all traditional institutions by practicing public relations.
