The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in promoting professionalism and ethical standards in public communication.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known on Tuesday during the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections of the NIPR, Abia State Chapter, held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Umuahia.
Prince Kanu congratulated the newly elected executives of the Institute and enjoined them to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics in the discharge of their duties. He assured that the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains open to constructive engagement and strategic partnership with the Institute in advancing responsible communication and good governance in the state.
The election, which followed the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past executive led by Deacon Olunkwa Felix, produced Onyinye Ralph-Nwachukwu, FNIPR, as the new State Chairman of the Chapter.
The exercise was supervised by the National President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, who was represented by Dr. Ahmed Sajoh, FNIPR, Chairman of the Council Committee on Chapter Support and Development.
In his remarks, the National President charged the new leadership to sustain the Chapter as a formidable professional body and conduct its affairs in line with global best practices. He also drew attention to recent amendments to the Institute’s Bye-Laws, which now empower state chapters to establish branches.
According to him, the new provision allows for the creation of branches such as Aba and Umuahia, which can hold independent meetings while coming together periodically to harmonize their activities.
In her acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Onyinye Ralph-Nwachukwu, expressed profound gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in her, describing her emergence as a collective achievement.
“I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. I sincerely thank you for the confidence you have reposed in me by electing me as Chairman of the Abia State Chapter of NIPR,” she said.
She acknowledged God’s grace in her emergence and commended the Electoral Committee for conducting what she described as a transparent and credible process, noting that the unity demonstrated by members signposts a promising future for the Chapter.
Ralph-Nwachukwu described her election as a historic milestone, as she becomes the first female Chairman of the Abia State Chapter of NIPR.
“With all sense of modesty, this moment reflects not a personal achievement, but the steady growth of our Chapter as I assume this responsibility as the first female Chairman produced by Abia NIPR,” she stated.
She paid tribute to past Chairmen and former executives for their sacrifices and foundational contributions, while calling for unity and renewed commitment to service.
“This election is not about an individual; it is about service. It is a call to work together to reposition Abia NIPR as a Chapter defined by clarity, unity, professionalism, and progress,” she added.
Outlining her priorities, she pledged to promote inclusiveness, strengthen ethical practice, enhance the visibility and relevance of the Chapter, and build strategic partnerships that would elevate the Institute’s impact within and beyond the state.
“We will not lead in isolation. We will listen. We will consult. We will carry everyone along, because every member matters and every voice counts,” she assured.
She urged members to put the election process behind them and focus on strengthening the Institute for greater impact.
Other officers elected include Ikechukwu-Odionyenfe Oluchi as Vice Chairman; Ori Innocent-Onuoha as Secretary; Victor Onwuka as Assistant Secretary; Grace Gbagi as Financial Secretary; Onyinyechi Obi as Treasurer; Promise Uzoma Okoro (PUO) as Public Relations Officer; Cletus Nwankwo as Auditor; and Amaka Unamba as Welfare Officer.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Chairman, Deacon Olunkwa Felix, alongside Sir OJ Bob Amanze, was elected as Ex-Officio members of the Chapter.
