By joshua 
NIPR Kogi Chapter Inaugurates New Exco, Pledges Renewed Professionalism and Unity
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Kogi State Chapter, has ushered in a new leadership with a pledge to reposition the chapter for greater professionalism, inclusiveness, and institutional impact.
The new Executive Committee was inaugurated on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Lokoja.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Chairman, Mr. Ismaila Isah, MNIPR, said the development marked the beginning of a new phase for the chapter. He described his emergence as both an honour and a call to service aimed at strengthening the public relations profession and restoring the chapter’s vibrancy.
Isah emphasized the need for unity, innovation, ethical conduct, and collective responsibility among members. He noted that public relations remains critical to nation-building, strategic communication, conflict resolution, and reputation management, especially amid challenges of misinformation and declining public trust.
The chairman paid tribute to pioneers and stakeholders who kept the chapter active through difficult periods, including Pastor Ogala Sani, Pastor James Adedoyin, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, Chief Steven Salawu, Mr. John Amobeda, Mr. Adeku Adava, Mr. Austyn Ochu, and Mr. Emmanuel Boro.
He assured members that the administration would be guided by transparency and purposeful leadership, with focus on strengthening membership participation, promoting professional development, deepening stakeholder engagement, encouraging young professionals, and ensuring a credible transition to a substantive executive council.
Representing the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, FNIPR, the Chairman of the Chapter Development and Support Committee, Dr. Ahmad Sajoh, commended stakeholders in Kogi for their resilience in reviving the chapter. He charged the new exco to provide ethical and inclusive leadership and warned that individuals practicing public relations without NIPR membership and certification risk legal sanctions under the institute’s enabling law.
The Registrar of the Institute, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue, FNIPR, congratulated the new leadership and urged members to uphold the ethical standards of the profession. Similarly, the Chairman of the NIPR FCT Chapter, Mr. Stanley Ogadigo, FNIPR, reaffirmed the FCT chapter’s support for the growth of NIPR in Kogi State.
The ceremony featured the administration of the oath of office on the executive members by the Registrar. As part of the event, the chapter unveiled branded materials to strengthen its identity during advocacy and student engagement programmes. The FCT chapter supported the initiative with a financial donation toward the production of the materials.
The inauguration was attended by public relations practitioners, media professionals, government officials, lecturers, and students from mass communication departments across the state.
The newly inaugurated executive committee comprises: Ismaila Isah as Chairman; Tade Oshaloto, Vice Chairman; Mike Abu, Secretary; Fati Ohiare, Assistant Secretary/ICT; Bishop Aturu, Public Relations Officer; Nwankwo Daniel, Welfare Officer; Yemi Balogun, Treasurer; Khadijat Abubakar, Financial Secretary; and Tairu Momoh, Internal Auditor. Ex-officio members are Suleiman Ibrahim, Emmanuel Bello, and Austyn Ochu.