According to Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor of Benue State’s chief press secretary, his principal, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, is always open to collaborating with any organization that has a constructive goal for the state’s advancement.
Additionally, Kula promised the Benue State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) that the administration will work with them to improve government communication and enhance the state’s reputation.
When the state NIPR leadership, under the direction of its chairman, Dr. Philip Toryue, paid him a courtesy call at his office at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Tuesday, he offered the guarantee.
He said that the government was ready to work with the institution on crisis management, public education, professional communication, and efforts to combat false and misleading information.
Additionally, the CPS revealed that talks had started about making public relations a recognised career path within the Benue State Public Service. He stated that the matter came up after discussions at a recent joint training for government spokespersons hosted by the Federal Ministry of Information and the NIPR.
He claimed that Governor Hyacinth Alia had been informed about the issue and was in favour of domesticating it in the state.
Kula supported the planned yearly training program for government spokespeople and information officers, arguing that ongoing professional growth will lessen miscommunication, conflict, and misinformation among public servants.
Additionally, he promised to try to secure spots for Benue NIPR chapter members to attend the World Public Relations Forum, which is set to take place in Abuja in November.
He also gave the institution his word that he would back the state chapter’s efforts to obtain permanent office space.
Kula stated that the Alia government was prepared to expose its record to public examination during the projected NIPR manifesto debate for candidates running for governorship, the State House of Assembly, and the National Assembly prior to the 2027 elections.
According to him, the government will use the platform to address false and misleading information about its operations. Subject to his official commitments, he also promised to take part in the NIPR roadshow on Saturday.
Speaking about the administration’s success, Kula stated that Governor Alia took office with a clear vision for Benue State and that advancements were being made in a number of areas, including industry, education, roads, and other infrastructure.
He urged NIPR to take a more active role in public orientation and the fight against the propagation of false information, especially on social media, and stated that the government would continue to solidify its accomplishments for the benefit of the people.
The CPS thanked Governor Alia for allowing him to work in the administration and thanked the delegation for their visit. To improve public communication, he claimed that professional public relations practitioners and the government must work together effectively.
He informed the delegation that the administration was prepared to collaborate with the institute and pointed out that NIPR could not function independently of the government as a statutory professional entity.
Dr. Philip Toryue, the chairman of the NIPR, had earlier stated that the team went to the CPS to thank Governor Alia for naming one of its members as his Chief Press Secretary, to congratulate Kula on his appointment, to inform him of the status of the institute in Benue, and to request government help.
According to Toryue, the institute has over 100 members who work in academia, the media, the commercial sector, ministries, departments, and agencies. However, he listed some of the difficulties the chapter faces, including professional recognition, quackery, and insufficient funding for capacity-building initiatives.
He urged Kula to represent the institute in politics and promote adherence to the NIPR Act. He specifically asked the government to make sure that NIPR-certified professionals held public relations, press, information, and protocol posts in ministries, departments, agencies, local governments, and other government establishments.
Additionally, the chairman asked the government to fund at least 20 chapter members to attend the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja starting on November 14 and to assist the creation of an NIPR secretariat in Benue.
He requested permission to hold quarterly masterclasses for press secretaries, media assistants, government spokespeople, and local government information officers. He stated that crisis communication, media relations, and government image management will all be covered in the proposed training.
Toryue also demanded that NIPR be included as a technical partner in government communication efforts about public awareness, disease prevention, security, and other state projects. Additionally, he suggested that the governor and public relations experts meet once a year.
He said that the institute was prepared to assist the government with crisis communication, reputation management, news release screening, and initiatives to correct misrepresentations of government operations.
In advance of the 2027 elections, Toryue also revealed plans for a political manifesto program for candidates running for governorship, the National Assembly, and State House of Assembly. The organising committee is anticipated to be chaired by Dr. Charles Iornumbe.
In order to raise awareness of the World Public Relations Forum, he also pleaded for government funding for the NIPR roadshow that is set for this Saturday.
“When you succeed, NIPR succeeds, and when NIPR succeeds, Benue State’s image succeeds,” Toryue added, referring to Kula as the institute’s pride.
Dr. Charles Iornumbe, Prof. Shimenenge Atime, Thomas Yange, Mrs. Vera Kanyi, and Cyprian Yange were among the delegation’s members.