Nigeria Needs Effective Leadership To Tackle Developmental Challenges, Says NIPR President Neliaku
The President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, has emphasized that Nigeria needs effective leadership across public, private, formal, and informal sectors to tackle the developmental challenges that the nation faces today.
Neliaku said this in a release congratulating Nigerians for the New Year celebration. He prayed that 2025 will bring lots of fortune to individuals, organisations and nations a prosperous 2025. According to him, he made the wish on behalf of the Governing Council and members of the Institute.
The NIPR president who noted that the past year was quite challenging economically, said the Institute strongly believed in Nigeria’s strength, potential, and viability. He, however, emphasized that leadership remains a key factor that Nigerians as a people must address.
He said, “Given current happenings within the country, majority of the African countries and other parts of the world, one cannot but agree with John Maxwell, a leadership expert and author, who said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership”. And if there is anything Nigerians have unanimously agreed on, irrespective of tribe and religion, it is the fact that Nigeria as a nation needs effective leadership across board to make progress.”
Neliaku also pointed out that leaders need to communicate effectively to be effective. He said that NIPR is more than willing and ready to support efforts to build the capacity of leaders who will offer quality service to the populace.
In his words, “Let me remark that for leaders to be exceptional, they need to communicate effectively. The NIPR as an organization with the largest body of knowledge in leadership communication in Nigeria is willing and ready to support in the efforts to build the capacity of leaders that will offer quality service to the populace.”
The NIPR boss also stressed that effective leadership must rest on the shoulders of strong followers for meaningful development to occur. His words, “May I also note at this point that while we emphasize leadership, it is equally vital to understand that effective leadership must rest on the shoulders of strong followers for meaningful development to occur. Therefore, the Institute calls on citizens and residents to embrace the culture of good followership for a better Nigeria.”
“As we journey into the New Year, let us move with hope, confidence, and faith, praying for stronger partnerships and relationships that will inspire a brighter Nigeria. Wishing all Nigerians a fruitful 2025”, he concluded.
NIPR has been a committed body seeking the good of the country and has come up with different initiatives, one of which is the initiative to enhance Nigeria’s reputation, with a multifaceted mandate in addition to developing sustainable strategies and operational modalities.
This commitment drove the institute to inaugurate a 23-man team of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG) to ensure that the objectives of portraying the country’s good image initiative are achieved in the last quarter of 2024.
The NIPR President stated that the combination of a distinguished assembly of 23 members, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, marks a significant step towards fortifying Nigeria’s global image.
The group will be tasked with identifying critical national assets and wielding influence over Nigeria’s reputation,” the NIPR President stated
The NRMG is also entrusted with recommending viable structures for the proposed Nigeria Reputation Trust Fund, a financial instrument aimed at bolstering initiatives dedicated to enhancing the country’s reputation on the global stage.
Outlining the pivotal responsibilities, Neliaku emphasized that beyond advising the NIPR Council on matters of national reputation, the group is mandated to curate pertinent content on Nigeria’s reputation. This reservoir of information will be strategically deployed, aligning with the NRMG initiative. Additionally, the group will undertake assignments designed to attract professional, reputational, and financial value to the Institute.