Achebe Lecture Series: Prof Utomi Points Way Forward for Social Reconciliation

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NIPR National President Dr. Ike Neliaku, left, and HRM Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi) during the Lecture Series

By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

The Guest Lecturer at the Second Edition of HRM, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe Lecture Series, Professor, Pat Utomi, has identified research, as the key for solving the problem of peace and reconciliation in Nigeria, even as he called for an effective National Orientation Agency, a Redesigned National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and Values-based Political parties as the lee-way for social reconciliation and accommodation where truth and justice count.

Professor Utomi who stated these at the event themed: “Achieving Peace and Reconciliation in Nigeria: the Public Relations Approach”, held at the ETF Auditorium, COOU, Igbariam Campus, described discontentment as a global phenomenon, saying that understanding what fueled it remained critical in prescribing solutions; adding that the nature of political parties which had evolved in Nigeria and the quality of leadership in the country had led to despondency which required the creation of goodwill rooted in evidence based prescriptions for a Nigeria devoid of the dysfunctions of ethno-religious and other cleavages.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Senator Dr Ben Ndi Obi, observed that celebrating a worthy personality such as Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, alive, was the greatest honour that could be conferred on a living legend.

Sen Obi described the theme of the event as critical at this moment when Nigeria was in dire need of peace, noting that a peaceful atmosphere was key to sustainable development.

Welcoming the participants, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, stated that the University had adopted the lecture series as one of its flagship events, expressing delight that NIPR was partnering the COOU to celebrate a great Nigerian icon, describing the partnership as one that aligned with the three Vs of her administration which she gave as values, viability and visibility.

The President and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, in his address, observed that Nigeria was not at its best in terms of reputation, hence, the need for NIPR to assist the nation in singing a new song by instituting what he called Nigeria Reputation Management Group to rebuild the nation’s reputation.

Dr Neliaku stressed the need to promote public relations as a core leadership function that could engineer effective communication between leaders and citizens to enhance good governance, as well as the need for responsible alliance to make leaders accountable for whatever they did or said.

In their separate speeches, the Special Guest, Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Police Institutions; and the Chairman, National Planning Committee, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, represented by the Vice Chairman of Council, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, noted that the theme of the lecture captured the conversation needed in Nigeria today, where eminent personalities gathered to speak on how to entrench peace in the country, describing Obi Alfred Achebe as an icon of peace and reconciliation in Nigeria who should be emulated by the youths for building bridges.

For his part, the Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, Dr. Law Mefor, commended the NIPR and COOU for designing such a platform to fashion strategies for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, adding that the Anambra State Government was creating a conducive environment for all through massive infrastructural development.

Responding, the celebrant, HRM, Obi Alfred Achebe, recalled his thirty years’ experience at Shell Development Company PLC where he honed his public relations practice, pointing out that peace and reconciliation were the principles of his administration.

While harping on the role of PR in peace and reconciliation with the courage to tell the truth, Obi Achebe stated that leadership mattered in all aspects of life which came with good conscience, intentional vision on the right path. He called for a good country where everybody would be treated with fairness.

The event held at the ETF Auditorium, COOU, Igbariam Campus and was well attended by eminent personalities across Nigeria from all walks of life, government functionaries, traditional rulers, and Onitsha traditional Chiefs, including COOU students.

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