Following an intense electoral process that stretched from the afternoon of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of yesterday to the early morning hours of today, Dr. Ike Neliaku has emerged the new President of the The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
In what has been described as the institute’s most participatory and fiercely competitive election to date, 29 contenders vied for the 17 available slots on the governing council. Notably, the contest commenced with 29 candidates, and while the electoral process was underway, only one candidate withdrew from the race, leaving 28 individuals in contention.
Delegates representing various states and the Federal Capital Territory turned out in their numbers to exercised their voting rights. Though the electoral processes was mostly manual, proceedings were meticulously organized, with states being called out alphabetically, ensuring an orderly and efficient process. The election was held at the NAF Conference Centre and saw an impressive turnout of 1050 accredited members casting their votes.
The newly elected members of the NIPR Governing Council, representing a diverse range of expertise and backgrounds, include prominent figures such as Olubunmi Adedoyin Badejo, Prof. Emmanuel Dan Daura, Dr. Saidat Sola Abdulbagi, Okoh Thelma, Dr. Ike Neliaku, Dr. Sule Yaw Sule, Ini Emebong Essien, Kabir Ali Kobi, Prof. Kate Azuba, Bajulaiye Olanrewaju, Akin Agbejule, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, Prince Ford Ozumba, Dr. Adewale Oladipo, Prof. Sarah Dan Benjamin, Olarenwaju Adetokumbo, Dr. Sulia Sule, and Bashir Chedi, among others.
The government nominees, who contribute to the council’s diverse composition, include Esan Ebunoluwa Omolara, Mr. Lanre Onilu, Jibrin Baba Ndache, Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, and Maryam Sanusi.
With the newly elected Governing Council of the NIPR now in place, a pivotal decision-making conclave was convened to determine leadership positions. The outcome was the selection of Dr. Ike Neliaku as President of the Governing Council, while Prof. Emmanuel Dan Daura secured the role of Vice President.
The new President of NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku is a widely travelled and hands-on executive, who holds a BA with honours in Theatre Arts from the University of Jos, a Master’s in Political Economy and Ph.D in Development Studies, respectively, from the University of Abuja.
As a result of his pursuit for excellence across the plane of Leadership, his achievement are an evident trail. He participated in over 50 international delegations for the federal government between 1994 and 2015. He has pushed for sustainable development across sectors like youth empowerment, sustainable development, and public sector administration amongst many others.
Dr. Ike has also held relevant positions over the years in the public service. He served as the Special Assistant to 5 successive Ministers of Information and went on to serve in the Office of Political Adviser to the President of Nigeria from 2003 to 2006. Here, he helped restructure and refocus the office for stronger relevance and efficiency.
Dr. Ike Neliaku is the recipient of numerous awards. He received the 1990 President’s National Honours Award as an outstanding corps member and received the Professional Integrity Award in 2009.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Fellow of African Public Relations Association (APRA), Fellow Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Fellow Institute of Management Consultants, and Life Member, Society for International Development.
Dr. Ike has initiated a number of community development efforts over the years. These include, pioneer Coordinator, Anambra Rebirth; Director Programmes, Institute of Civil Society, Abuja; Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Asokoro District, Abuja.
Further development efforts were made under the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). He served in various role here, from the Chairman, NIPR 2007 National Electoral Committee to the Vice Chairman of the Strategy and Policy Advisory Group and then to Chairman, NIPR FCT Chapter. He is currently the Editor of the monthly newsletter at the NIPR Capital Chapter.
Dr. Ike initiated the Ike Nwokike Prize for the best graduating student in Public Relations in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Jos as well as the Ike Nwokike Endowment for the best student in Film Scripting at the National Film Institute, Jos.