By Ononye VC
In preparation for the famous Onitsha 2023 Ofala festival,a maiden lecture was held to herald the festival where the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese most Rev Felix Ajakaye and distinguished Public Relations experts hailed the Obi of Onitsha,Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe,describing him as a pathfinder and great agent of development and ruler over a peaceful kingdom.
The lecture which theme was given as : “Traditional Institutions, Public Relations and Governance in Contemporary Nigeria” was presented by the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye.
He described Obi of Onitsha as a man with a very sound, strong family and educational background that left Onitsha with much good governance.
While listing traditional institutions to include marriage, family, education, religion and kingship, Ajakaye lamented that good governance had continued to elude Nigeria due to lack of purposeful God-fearing and informed leadership at all levels, adding that what Nigerians were clamouring for was a leadership that would be honest, courageous and forthright.
While speaking during the lecture named,the Obi Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe Lecture Series, at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR), Mr Bobo Brown, described the Onitsha monarch as an endless story of God’s own writing in Nigeria’s conscience.
He said Achebe’s name could open doors and light paths, describing him further as a man with unimaginable intellectual capacity and stickler to rules.
Brown commended the Anambra State chapter of the NIPR and its leadership for their courage and ingenuity for bringing back the culture of translating ideas into action in the spirit of the NIPR of yesteryears.
Speaking,the Vice-Chancellor of the university,Prof Greg Nwakoby applauded the NIPR for its activities geared towards promoting the corporate coexistence, nation building and rebranding of the nation’s image.
He said the university had always insisted that only certified members of the NIPR would head the institution’s public relations unit to ensure excellence and professionalism.
Earlier in her welcome address,the Anambra State Chapter Chairman of NIPR, Prof Angela Nwammuo, said the idea of the lecture series was birthed 11 months ago when she thought of how the state chapter of NIPR could contribute significantly to Public Relations practice in the country and to honour Obi Achebe for his contributions to the promotion and practice of Public Relations in Nigeria and the world at large.
For his part, the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku commended the Vice Chancellor of the university for accepting to collaborate with the Anambra State Chapter of NIPR to host the event.
He said the lecture series for Igwe Achebe had become one programme instituted to celebrate a living person as against most lectures that celebrate achievers, posthumously.
Neliaku opined that systematic procedures be taken to make it an annual affair, declaring it as a national event of the NIPR.
Responding, Igwe Achebe described the event as totally overwhelming while giving gratitude to God for making it a reality.
He charged all to take cognizance of the various issues raised by the guest lecturer to strengthen the traditional institutions, especially through Public Relations methods.
The event was graced by a host of traditional rulers, the academia, government officials, Onitsha Ndichie red cap chiefs, Otu Odu Onitsha, captains of industry, Members of the NIPR and many other groups.
