Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State was thrown into frenzy on Friday when the news of emergence of two illustrious son and daughter of the state into the governing council of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) filtered into the town.
While the chairperson of NIPR in the state and a lecturer at the department of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Associate Professor Saudat Sallah AbdulBaqi was elected as a council member by the delegates to the just concluded NIPR conference in Abuja, a veteran journalist and public relations expert, Malam Lanre Issa- Onilu was nominated as a member of the council by the federal government.
Incidentally AbdulBaki and Issa-Onilu hail from Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State. About this time last year, two of the three Kwarans honoured with the fellowship of NIPR in Abuja – Alh Saadu Salahu, a veteran journalist, broadcaster and public relations expert and Saudat AbdulBaqi are also from Ilorin. The third Kwaran who received the fellowship award last year was a former editor- in- chief/ CEO of The Herald newspapers and former commisioner for Information in the state, Alh Raheem Adedoyin from Kwara South.
Kwara State governor,AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq led the pack of eminent personalities that have congratulated AbdulBaqi and Issa-Onilu on their emergence as NIPR council members.
Other people and associations who have rejoiced with the new NIPR Council members included the vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN), Arewa Consultatives Forum (ACF), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)and Muhammad Kamaldeen University, Ilorin.
In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, Governor AbdulRazaq congratulated AbdulBaqi and Issa- Onilu on their emergence as members of the Governing Council of NIPR.
The governor had earlier called on delegates to the keenly contested convention to vote massively for AbdulBaqi, a communications expert who was the chairman of the state chapter of the NIPR and former head of mass communication department at the University of Ilorin.
“The governor welcomes this historic development and commends all the delegates from Kwara and across the country for honouring a distinguished daughter of Kwara State with their votes. He similarly commends the federal government for the choice of a great son of the state, Issa- Onilu, as one of its representatives on the prestigious council,” according to a Government House statement on Friday.
“The governor is confident that the duo will, as they always do in every office they held before, make the state proud as NIPR governing council members. He commends them to bring their expertise and wealth of experience as top public relations professionals and patriots to take the statutory body (NIPR) to a greater height. He wishes them all the best in this new role and in others that may come their way in the coming years,” the statement reads.
In its congratulatory message, the Arews Consultative Forum(ACF) in Kwara State congratulated AbdukBaqi on her election into the NIPR’s Council.
The group in a statement signed by its chairman,Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya and director of Media and Publications, Alh Abdullahi Olesin, described AbdukBaqi’s election as well deserved given her enviable track records as academician and public relations expert.
The group expressed the confidence in the ability of AbdulBaqi to represent Kwara State well in the NIPR Council.
While thanking the NIPR members across the country for finding AbdulBaqi worth of election as a council member, the ACF praised Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his support for the new council member.
It noted that the governor’s appeal to NIPR members to vote for AbdulBaqi, an illustrious daughter of Kwara State contributed greatly to her emergence as a council member.
“ Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in his characteristic manner and avowed commitment to the promotion of the womenfolks , on the eve of NIPR conference made an appeal to members to cast their votes for Dr Saudat AbdukBaqi whom His Excellency described as an excellent academician and public relations expert. We at the ACF strongly believe that His Excellency’s public relations for AbdulBaki did the magic,”the ACF added.
It thanked NIPR members and fellows from Kwara State, especially Alh Saadu Salahu and Alh Raheem Adedoyin for standing solidly behind Dr Saudat AbdukBaqi before and during the election.
The Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has also congratulated a one-Abdulbaqi , on her election.
In a congratulatory message, the state NUJ chairman, Abdullateef Ahmed and the secretary, Comrade Omotayo Ayanda, said the emergence of Abdulbaqi is a manifestation of her outstanding contributions to scholarship and humanity.
The union stressed that the untiring efforts of the communication expert in promoting academic excellence and public relations earned her a prominent position in the NIPR’s governing board.
“As a dedicated educator in the Ilorin Study Centre of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Dr Abdulbaqi has positively impacted the lives of countless students and professionals. Her commitment to fostering knowledge and expertise in the realm of communication is evident in her accomplishments”, the NUJ said.
The union expressed delight over AbdulBaki’s attainments, stating : “We take immense pride in the recognition of your expertise and contributions. Your presence on the NIPR governing board reflects not only your academic and professional successes, but the impact you have made in the lives of many.
“Your election serves as a testament to your dedication and commitment to the scholarly and professional paths you have chosen. We are confident that your insights and perspectives would greatly enrich the works of the NIPR.
“It is heartening that your journey as an academic with a load of accomplishments to being a member of the NIPR Governing Council is an inspiration to all in the communication field. The Kwara NUJ extends its warmest congratulations and wishes you continued successes in your new role”, the union said.
The National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in the state,
in a statement signed by its chairperson, Ayobola Ipinlaiye and secretary, Ganiyat Adedeji prayed God to continue to guide AbdulBaqi in the discharge of her duties.
The association urged her to be a good ambassador of Kwara state and women in general, expressing the confidence that her membership of NIPR Council will bring a lot of benefits to Kwara State.
For his part, the vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN) congratulated a Abdulbaqi, on her election as a Council member of the NIPR .
In a statement signed on his behalf by the director, Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Mr Kunle Akogun, the vice chancellor described the election of the scholar as well-deserved reward for professional excellence, remarkable hard work and consistent service to humanity.
Egbewole added that he and the entire members of the university of Ilorin community had anticipated the emergence of Abdulbaqi as a Council member of the NIPR as they were convinced that she had all it takes to be so elected.
Egbewole described the Associate Professor of Mass Communication as a brilliant, industrious and tireless scholar whose contributions to the deepening of knowledge in her chosen field and promotion of peace and harmony within and beyond Kwara State had endeared her to all, adding that Abdulbaqi is a pride to the University of Ilorin.
He encouraged Abdulbaqi to see her election as a national official of the frontline professional body as an opportunity for her to work harder for the nation and humanity to benefit more from her expertise and experience in the promotion of goodwill and peace building among stakeholders of the Nigerian project.
While enjoining other staff members and students of the university to emulate the industry, dedication and humility of Abdulbaqi for the university to remain an abode of all-round excellence, the vice chancellor wished the new NIPR Council member a very successful tenure of office.
In its own message, the Muhammad Kamaldeen University publicity committee felicitated with Abdulbaqi, on her emergence as a council member of NIPR .
The secretary, MKU publicity committee, Barrister Ibrahim Jetti noted that until her election, AbdulBaqi is the chairperson, Kwara State Coucil of NIPR and chairperson MKU publicity committee .
He described Abdulbaqi as a purposeful and resourceful leader who deserves more elevations, pointing out that she has distinguished herself with various contributions to the development and uplift of the community.
While praying God to make her tenure fruitful, Jetti enjoined all daughters of Ilorin to emulate AbdulBaqis’ exemplary conduct.