By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was a moment of fanfare and intellectual engagement over the weekend as the Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) held its 2026 Summit and Annual General Meeting in Awka, climaxed by the honouring of distinguished personalities and organisations, including the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga. The PPRO was conferred with the prestigious Lifetime Reputation Award for his outstanding record in strategic communication, media relations, information management and public engagement in the Nigeria Police Force, as well as his contributions to reputation management and general societal development.
Also honoured at the ceremony were the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Okoye; Ibeto Seaport and Terminals, a highly reputed logistics brand of renowned industrialist Chief Cletus Ibeto; Igwe Pharm Alex Onyido of Ogidi Kingdom; Lady Uju Dike of British Spring College; Engr. Sir Kingsley Osita Okonkwo; Chief John Chiadiniuzu Chukwuemeka of Dailysun Pharmaceutical Plc; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zhongtian Construction Nigeria Ltd., Maokun Tu; Dr. Amaechi Nwachukwu of Princeton Hospital and Orthopedic; Naira Rice; De-Shield Events; Sir Ugochukwu Obiefuna; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Chinedu Glamour Nwoye; and Jotham Steel Company Limited, among others, all recognised for excellence, integrity and positive reputation in their respective fields.
The high-profile event, which held at the International Conference Centre, Awka, attracted a distinguished gathering of government officials, traditional rulers, industry leaders, communication professionals, academics and stakeholders from across the state and beyond, including the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo; the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; former Minister of Aviation and former FRSC Corps Marshal, Chief Osita Chidoka; members of the State Executive Council; captains of industry; media executives; and members of the public relations community.
Declaring the summit open, Governor Soludo commended NIPR for choosing the theme, “Managing Reputation Capital in the Digital Age: Influence and Integrity Management,” describing it as timely in view of the moral, social and communication challenges confronting society.
The governor warned against the growing obsession with sudden wealth among young people, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved through hard work, enterprise, discipline and integrity rather than criminal shortcuts and get-rich-quick mentality. He urged the institute to deepen its involvement in the Anambra Rebirth campaign by promoting value reorientation, ethical conduct and responsible communication, noting that reputation management remains critical to the image of the state and the nation.
According to him, no society can make lasting progress without a positive mindset, adding that citizens must learn to project good stories about their communities instead of constantly portraying the society in a negative light. The Governor also received a special package of assorted gift items from the NIPR Anambra in appreciation of his outstanding leadership in enhancing the reputation of Anambra State in the positive light.
Earlier speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the Anambra State Government for its commitment to value reorientation and good governance, noting that reputation capital has become one of the most important assets for institutions, governments and individuals in the digital age. He reiterated the institute’s commitment to professionalism, ethical communication and responsible information management as key pillars for national development.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Kate Omenugha, who earlier received the NIPR delegation during a pre-summit engagement at the University in Igbariam, said the institute had played a major role in shaping her leadership philosophy, assuring that the university will continue to uphold the ideals of professionalism, discipline and excellence.
The summit was preceded by an engagement with students and young professionals at the university campus, where participants were exposed to lectures, keynote presentations, panel discussions and mentorship sessions aimed at strengthening capacity in strategic communication, media practice and reputation management.
The event also featured a keynote lecture delivered by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, while panel discussions and technical sessions had contributions from experts drawn from government agencies, labour unions, media organisations and the ICT sector, including the National President of RATTAWU, Prince Emeka Kalu; communication scholar, Dr. Uche Nworah; and Barr. Chidi Neliaku, among others, who spoke extensively on digital influence, institutional credibility, reputation management, and the future of professional communication practice.
Earlier in their separate remarks, Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Chukwudi Oli, the immediate-past Chairman of NIPR Anambra, Professor Angela Nwamuo, and the Chairman of the Summit Local Organising Committee, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, recalled the growth of the institute in Anambra State and emphasised the need for leaders of organisations and public institutions to embrace professional public relations practice to enhance transparency, credibility and public trust.
Presenting the Lifetime Reputation Award to the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga, the institute noted that the police spokesman has consistently demonstrated professionalism, credibility and proactive communication, which has helped to strengthen public confidence in the Police and improve police-community relations in Anambra State, while his timely dissemination of security information and public safety advisories was also cited as part of the qualities that earned him the honour.
Responding, the PPRO expressed appreciation to the institute for finding him worthy of the honour, describing the award as a motivation to continue promoting responsible communication, professionalism and effective policing through transparency and public engagement, while also dedicating the recognition to the Commissioner of Police, officers and men of the Command, as well as media practitioners who support the work of the Police.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that SP Ikenga, who has served as the voice of the Command in several major security operations and public enlightenment campaigns, has earned wide commendation for his consistency in media relations, crisis communication and public information management, which have contributed significantly to improved public understanding of security activities in the state.
In his vote of thanks, the Local Organising Committee Chairman, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, appreciated participants, partners and stakeholders for their support, noting that the 2026 summit was designed to strengthen professional standards, promote ethical communication and reinforce the culture of integrity in public and corporate leadership.
Highlight of the Annual General Meeting was the inauguration of Dr. Ngozi Ulogu as Chairman of the Presidential Interim Executive Committee to pilot the affairs of the Anambra State Chapter of the institute, following the expiration of the tenure of Professor Angela Nwamuo, a former Head of Department of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, who has headed the association since March 2022.
Dr. Ulogu, a Fellow of the institute and lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, will serve alongside Dr. Nelson Omenugha as Vice Chairman, Dr. Chinedu Ekweonu as Secretary, and other members of the interim executive, with the National President charging them to organise a credible election and sustain the growth, unity and visibility of the chapter.
Other members of the Interim Executive Committee include Dumaka Henry Ekemezie (Asst Secretary/ICT Officer); Comrade Ogemdi Ozoemenam (Public Relations Officer); CSP Josephine Ihunwo (Welfare Officer); Mrs Nonye Nwokoye (Financial Secretary); Chinenye Anyakora (Treasurer) Chinyere Fessy Okoye (Auditor); Prof. Angela Nwammuo (Ex-Officio 1); Prof. Kate Omenugha (Council Member and ex-Officio 2; and Prof. Cornelius Ukwueze (ex-Officio 3).
More photos from the event:
