Utomi Advocates for Value Based Political Parties for Social Reconciliation in Nigeria
…As NIPR holds holds annual Achebe lecture
By Felix Oti Awka
From an effective national orientation Agency ,a redesigned NYSC, and a values based political parties ,we may arrive at social reconciliation and accommodation where truth and justice shall matter.
In display of achieving peace and reconciliation, stakeholders of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), in conjunction with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, held the HRM Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe Lecture Series.
The lecture, ‘Achieving Peace and Reconciliation in Nigeria: The Public Relations Approach,’ held at the ETF Auditorium, COOU, Igbariam, attracted dignitaries from within and outside the state.
Speaking at the event, the guest lecturer, Prof Pat Utomi in his speech said “I have scoped the context of strife in the modern world to show the pressure points on Nigerian condition.
“This is an effort to provide a PR approach for solutions may be rooted in evidence rather than the imagination of someone isolated in their ivory tower .
“Our goal had been to show we can effectively execute the creation of good will that derives from research based identification of evidence that is the basis of plans and programs aligned to national strategy and vision of a Nigeria devoid of the dysfunction of ethic, religious and other cleavages .
“The programme chosen to advance cooperation between peoples will then give rise to a communication plan to sustain a disposition of affect that is the desired goodwill to enable achievement of national goal and citizen commitment to the common good .
“From an effective national orientation Agency ,a redesigned NYSC, and a values based political parties ,we may arrive at social reconciliation and accommodation where truth and justice shall matter.
Earlier on,, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University ,Prof, Kate Omenugha on her welcome address , specially extend a welcome to our esteemed Guest Speaker, Prof. Pat Utomi, whose vast knowledge and experience in public relations and social transformation will undoubtedly enrich our understanding of the theme we are addressing today.
“I would also like to acknowledge our Distinguished Chairman of the occasion, Sen. Ben. Ndi Obi (Ojeligbo) whose exemplary leadership, conduct, and commitment to national unity serve as an inspiration to us all.
“To the Man at whose instance we are here today, HRM Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi). You are a revered Fellow of the Institute and it is not a surprise that we honour you through this lecture series.
“At Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, we are alive to these diversities and thus equipping our students with skills needed to deal with it. This year’s HRM Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe’s Lecture presents a platform not just for learning, but for inspiration and action. As a community of scholars, practitioners, and advocates, it is our responsibility to harness our knowledge to influence public sentiment and encourage collaborative action towards peace.
“As we proceed with today’s lecture, I urge each of us to listen intently, and draw from the wisdom of our Speakers and examine how public relations could be a catalyst for Reconciliation in Nigeria. Together, let us envision a future where our differences are celebrated, our voices are heard, and our nation stands united.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, welcomed the NIPR visitors to Anambra and encouraged them to see the sights and see for themselves that Anambra is being transformed by the Solution Government of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
Meanwhile , The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Dr ,Ben ,Ndi Obi, in his opening speech said
“The Nigerian Institute of public relations, under the leadership of
Dr. Ike Neliaku, including the University of the now and of
the future, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
under the leadership of Prot. Kate Omenugha, to the guest
lecturer, Prof. Pat Utomi. Therefore, to be found worthy to chair a lecture series under the watchful eyes of these erudite
personalities are not only humbling to me, but an honour I am
grateful for.
“Instituting this annual lecture series under the name of HRM
Obi of Onitsha, Dr. Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe while he is
still alive, speaks volume of the personality of this great
monarch. This is one of the greatest honour and legacies we can
bequeath to a living legend who always advocate for peace,
equity and fairness with his royal stool.
The tagging and aim of the lecture series as a platform to
promote peace, reconciliation and transparency is timely. Our
region, other regions and indeed the whole country is in dire
need of peace, reconciliation and fairness. Every fora to promote
peace and stability should be grappled with both hands and
supported by all well-meaning individuals.
“The fact that the lecture series was instituted under the name
of HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe makes it more appealing and
dignifying. I can boldly vouch for the Obi of Onitsha as a man
of peace who abhors all forms of violence and acts capable of
tarnishing the royal throne and his name. His presence and even
mere body expression exudes a candor of peace and stability,
therefore, there is no better person to institute such lecture series
under his name than HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe.
“I thank the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University for instituting this lecture series. Over the years, the NIPR has been a hallmark
of excellence under the leadership of my brother, Dr.Neliaku. I
must say, I am indeed, a proud fellow of the institute.
“I so much believe that a peaceful atmosphere is at the core of
sustainable national development, because, without peace,
justice and equity, we can achieve nothing as an individual,
organization and as a country. Peace remains one of the major
foundations of stable and sustainable development.
“In 2015, the country was at the brink of collapse, the polity
was so heated, that a United States agency predicted the collapse
and disintegration of Nigeria after the 2015 general elections. In
search of peace and cohesion, I convened the National Peace
Committee headed by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, HRM Igwe
Alfred Achebe was also part of that committee.
“But, before I convened the National Peace Committee, I first
organized the Abuja Peace Accord, where for the first time, in
the ensuing 2015 political melodrama, the major gladiators in
the race, the President of Nigeria and candidate of the ruling
party then, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the major contender then,
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as he was then called, met, embraced
each other and signed an accord to maintain peace, play politics
by the rule, and ultimately agreed to douse the political tension
that marred the build up to the 2015 general elections.
” Ladies and gentlemen, that singular act, reduced the political
tension and chaos that was already on display, and a nation that was hanging on a time bomb, was rescued. The President when
he lost the elections, in the spirit of the accord, accepted and
immediately put up a call to the then President-elect, an act that
was never done in the past.
So, I am an advocate of peace, and I have a strong belief, that no
country can develop in atmosphere of chaos. This prompted me
to begin the process that led to the signing of the Abuja Peace
Accord and subsequently set up the National Peace Committee,
which till date, still run under the chairmanship of Gen.
Abdulsalami Abuabakar, GFCR.
“This lecture series is an important platform capable of
becoming a rallying point to chat the way forward for a peaceful
co-existence in this country and among nation-states.
“I will not lie to you; the world needs peace and tranquility.
Just like what we read in the bible, the love of many has waxed
cold, to the extent that we maim, kill and kidnap our fellow
human being without remorse. In the past, issues as kidnapping,
killing and other unholy vices were considered an abomination.
Today, we now see killing of people, kidnapping as normal.
This is unacceptable.
Meanwhile ,The chairman of NIPR Governing Council ,Dr Ike Neliaku ,The chairman House of representative committe on public Relation , Hon Aliyu Wakili Bola in their separate speeches , His majesty ,Obi Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe in their separate speeches said.
“As we raise such platforms to promote peace and stability, it
is also my opinion that government must rise to the occasion, to
ameliorate hunger, deprivation and insecurity. These are vices
capable of causing unrest within the society. The level of
hunger and poverty in the country is capable of causing chaos and insecurity, in fact, the current level of hardship in the land is
an invitation to anarchy and chaos. Government must rise to the
occasion to cushion the effects of some of the policies embarked
upon by this administration.