The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Bayelsa State Chapter, has honoured the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, with an award as a former chairman of the Institute in Bayelsa State, who distinguished himself.

The event, which took place on Thursday, 16th October, 2014 at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was part of activities marking the 1st Late Preye Okosi Memorial Lecture, Dinner and Award Ceremony organized by the State chapter of NIPR.

The award was to acknowledge and celebrate Ayakoroma and other personalities, who had distinguished themselves, one way or the other, in providing outstanding services to humanity and advancing the core values of public relations in Bayelsa State; such core values include dedication,  professionalism, excellence, integrity and good information management.

Ayakoroma assumed the chairmanship of NIPR, Bayelsa State Chapter, early 2005, during the tenure of His Excellency Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha (JP), the first Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, who was then popularly known as, “the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation.”

Speaking as chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, Ambassador Emmanuel Oseimiegha Otiotio, in his opening remarks, charged members of NIPR to always put God first in every of their activities, noting that the man, Preye Okosi, who was being celebrated, lived an exemplary life and left indelible footprints in the sands of time, adding that, serving humanity with humility was the whole essence of public relations.

Earlier in her welcome address, NIPR Bayelsa State chapter chairman, Dr. Evelyn Adombazi Tawari noted that the Institute, established in 1963 and chartered in 1990 by Decree 16 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was empowered to regulate public relations practice in Nigeria, create reputation, share information and create goodwill while building measures of fostering requisite enabling environment for organizations to operate with high premium of productivity.

She informed that the Bayelsa State chapter of NIPR was inaugurated on 31st March 2000, adding that it has been very active, reaching out to various public and private organizations and embarking on successful and productive enlightenment campaigns.

Presenting the Memorial Lecture, titled, “The Role of Public Relations in the Society,” Barr. Karibi George, FNIPR, a motivational speaker, a former Chairman of Rivers State chapter of NIPR and Member, Chartered Institute of Public Relations (UK), stressed the importance and values of public relations, and recommended, among other things, that a street in the state capital should be named in honour of Late Preye Okosi, who was one of the renowned public relations professionals in Nigeria.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the State Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Engr. Frank Opigo; the immediate past Niger State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Diseye Nsirim; the Chairman of the Board of Fellows of the Institute, Mr. Frank Tamuno-Koko FNIPR; former Bayelsa State Commissioner and Managing Director of Ididie Hotels, Yenagoa, Mr. Olaitari Ikemike; NIPR Council Member, Mr. Gbeinpei Walson Appah; and pioneer Treasurer of the State chapter of the Institute, Hon. Fortune Tari Dorgu, among others.

Other eminent personalities honoured at the occasion included Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha; the Amananaowei of Sabagreia, HRH Bokumo Orukari JP; Ms Victoria Egbuson; Bayelsa State Government Printer, Mr. Zipamo Johnson Akanyo; Chief Casca Ogosu, who facilitated the take-off of the state chapter of the Institute; pioneer chairman of the chapter, Chief Zee Debekeme; the first Executive Director of Bayelsa state Arts Council for Arts and Culture, Chief Simon Ambakederemo; and Corporal Helen Moyegbone, an amiable traffic police officer in Yenagoa who, though a widow, does her traffic duty with delight and is admired by the public for her distinguished service.

Esther Ziprekumor

Corporate Affairs Unit

NICO South-South Zone