The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter and the PR Primus Limited for their collaborative efforts at providing scholarship awards to the less privileged, saying government alone cannot make an impact on the society.
Governor Abiodun made the commendation while presenting gifts to beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme at the 2023 ‘Your Image Awards’ and Lecture as well as Magazine Launch, put together by the State Chapter of the NIPR in conjunction with the PR Primus Limited, held at the Park-Inn by Radisson, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Represented by the Head of Service, Mr Kolawole Fagbohun, the governor said the empowerment scheme was laudable as it was a way of assisting the government in raising the less privileged, who will, in the future, raise other people.
He described the effort of the two bodies to be in line with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of the present administration, calling on all other stakeholders to join in driving and achieving the ISEYA mantra of the present administration for the betterment of all.
“I am in support of the educational initiative of the organisers. I appreciate you for what you’re doing. I am happy that this is happening and I will continue to support such. I also appreciate you for making life more abundant for the beneficiaries and pray that God continues to rest the souls of the departed in whose honour the empowerment is being done”, Governor Abiodun, prayed.
He described the Late Former Head of Service, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu, in whose honour the award was given to students of his Alma Mater, the Egba Comprehensive High School, Asero, Abeokuta, as a thoroughbred professional who proved his mettle as an astute administrator in the course of his career.
On his part, the Olowu of Owu, who doubled as the Chairman of the day, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, said Public Relations is about building a good image in all things as exemplified by the choice of the awardees who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and the Public Relations (PR) world.
He added that coaching, mentoring and sharing people’s feelings, especially in pain and needs are PR functions, appreciating the organisers for the initiative of empowering the less privileged.
Earlier in a welcome address, the MD/CEO, PR Primus Limited, Mr. Akin Okudero, said part of the programme was to give back to the society through the empowerment scheme to immortalise two of their members, former Head of Service of Ogun State, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu and a Mass Communication Scholar, Prof. Lai Osho, to honour them for their immense contributions to the professional body and society at large.
Highlights of the event include the presentation of plaques and certificates to some PR icons like the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Mr. Eddy Aina, Chief Segun Odegbami among others, while John Adesina and Habeebat Hamzat received scholarship awards in the secondary school category and Yusuff Edun as well as Nimotalai Ogunlaja from the Mass Communication Department of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Abeokuta, received that of the tertiary school awards in honour of Prof. Lai Osho.
