The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, has stated that Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is willing to collaborate with any group that has a positive agenda for the betterment of the state. This statement was made during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Benue State Chapter, led by its chairman, Dr. Philip Toryue, at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi.
Kula assured the NIPR of the administration's support and partnership in strengthening government communication and promoting the image of the state. He also disclosed that discussions have begun on establishing public relations as a recognized career structure in the Benue State Public Service, following deliberations at a recent joint workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and the NIPR for government spokespersons.
Governor Alia has been briefed on the matter and is favorably disposed to domesticating it in the state. Kula endorsed the proposed annual training program for government spokespersons and information officers, saying continuous professional development would help reduce misrepresentation, friction, and misunderstanding among public officials.
Kula pledged to work towards securing participation slots for members of the Benue NIPR chapter at the World Public Relations Forum scheduled to hold in Abuja in November. He also assured the institute that he would support efforts to secure permanent office accommodation for the state chapter.
The NIPR chairman, Dr. Philip Toryue, said the delegation visited Kula to appreciate Governor Alia for appointing one of its members as his Chief Press Secretary and to brief him on the state of the institute in Benue. Toryue identified professional recognition, quackery, and inadequate sponsorship for capacity-building programs as some of the challenges facing the chapter.
Toryue appealed to Kula to serve as the institute's voice in government and advocate compliance with the NIPR Act. He requested government support for the establishment of an NIPR secretariat in Benue and sponsorship for at least 20 members of the chapter to attend the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja.
Kula and the NIPR leadership discussed plans for a political manifesto program for State House of Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. The government is willing to subject its record to public scrutiny and respond to misinformation and disinformation about its activities.
Key points
- Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is open to partnerships with groups that have a positive agenda for Benue State's development.
- The administration is willing to collaborate with the NIPR on professional communication, public enlightenment, crisis management, and efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation.
- The government plans to participate in the NIPR roadshow and subject its record to public scrutiny ahead of the 2027 elections.
