Dr. Ike Neliaku has been re-elected as the President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), alongside Vice President Prof. Emmanuel S. Daudara from Nasarawa Chapter. They will steer the affairs of the council for the next two years, together with other new executives.

Neliaku, who is from the FCT Chapter, was re-elected at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, tagged ‘Uyo 2025.’ This event was part of the annual Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2025, held in Uyo. Former Chairman of the Lagos Chapter, Olusegun McMedal, and the current Chairman of the chapter, Comfort Nwankwo, were elected as Council members.

A total of 17 members were elected into the council through e-voting, which members praised as credible and demonstrative of the viability of e-voting in Nigeria.

The other newly elected council members include Mr. Akin Agbejule (Niger), Mrs. Olubunmi Adedoyin Badejo (FCT), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha (Anambra), Mallam Bashir Adamu Chedi, and Dr. Saudat Salah Abdubaqi (Kwara).

Additional new members are Comrade Ini Ememobong (Akwa Ibom), Malam Kabir Ali Kobir (Bauchi), Pastor Paulinus Enyidah Nsirim (Rivers), Prof. Sarah Benjamin Lwahas (Plateau), Mr. Adaramola Temitope (Ogun State), Dr. Adewale Oladipo Oyekanmi (Osun), Chief Patrick Ogoegbunem Uka (Delta), and Sajoh Ahmed Ibrahim (Adamawa).

Since Dr. Neliaku assumed office, NIPR has undergone several reforms. Recently, Nigeria secured the bid to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).

The NPRW 2025 edition, themed “Solid Minerals: A Solid Path to Nigeria’s Sustainable Economic Recovery – The Challenge for Public Relations,” brought together PR professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The event was held at Ceedapeg Hotels, Uyo, from May 19–24, 2025.

What happens when legacy meets preparedness? What results from such a combination? Let us not be in a hurry to put forward any answers yet. Instead, let us consider first the opposite situation: When legacy meets unpreparedness.

The world abounds in examples of this distressing situation. A dynasty that has built wealth from generation to generation, with its illustrious heirs providing generational leadership, finds itself in a strange phase where an ill-prepared heir takes over the reins and in that same generation, not the next, wipes out the entire family fortune built over several generations.

We see the same thing with nations. History is replete with examples of great nations built by great leaders, which slid into oblivion when they were hit by arguably the greatest misfortune that ever befalls humanity – bad leadership. It is the reason American author and leadership expert John Maxwell asserts, “Everything rises and falls with leadership.”

As with nations, so with organisations. We see organisations that have thrived for decades and over several generations, get a new leader who is not prepared for such leadership, and the leader pushes the organisation to the brink of collapse.

Contrast this picture with the situation at Nigeria’s most enduring corporate organisation with the most amazing legacies of firsts, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, which witnessed a leadership transition about a year ago. Faced with a number of quality options in and outside the then management team, the decision-makers at the bank and its parent company FBNHoldings, now First HoldCo Plc, had to be clear-minded about who could become the new Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group.

Equally important as the need for continuity was the non-negotiable requirement for capacity to manage the ship of the 130-years-plus institution to sustain its enviable legacies and consolidate the gains made in recent years. The search was for someone with a steady head and hands (talk of risk control and mitigation), in addition to an excellent track record of sterling performance and achievements.

Fortunately, fate was on their side. They did not have to look outside. Right there before them was someone who understood all kinds of risks and how to control and mitigate them. He had been with FirstBank since 2016 when he joined as Group Executive / Chief Risk Officer. Then in January 2022 he was elevated to Executive Director / Chief Risk Officer and Executive Compliance Officer.

This man has given nearly three decades of his working life to the banking and financial services industry. He has under his belt a rich tapestry of cross-functional experience in credit risk management, financial planning and control, credit and marketing, and trade. His cross-functional exposure also includes corporate and commercial banking, agriculture financing, oil and gas, transportation, including aviation and shipping, and project financing

Meet Olusegun Alebiosu, the man history had prepared and the one decision-makers chose among the quality options. He was appointed substantive Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group in June 2024, having acted in that capacity since April 2024 when the former CEO left.

Determined to build on the bank’s legacies while navigating the ever-changing landscape of the financial services industry, Alebiosu has shown unwavering commitment to lead the bank through a transformative period that places emphasis on strategic consolidation, technological advancement and market expansion.

Alebiosu’s approach to sustaining the legacies of firsts at FirstBank, which has been at the vanguard of accelerating Nigeria’s digital payments as the first bank to issue over 13 million cards to customers, draws from his vast professional experience which began with Oceanic Bank Plc, now Ecobank Plc, in 1991. Between then and joining FirstBank in 2016, he had worked at Coronation Merchant Bank as Chief Risk Officer, at African Development Bank Group as Chief Credit Risk Officer and at United Bank for Africa as Group Head, Credit Policy and Deputy Chief Credit Risk Officer.

Under one year of his appointment as substantive CEO of FirstBank, Alebiosu’s strategic consolidation efforts have demonstrated that he is a worthy successor, not an ill-prepared or unprepared one, proving the decision-makers right. Understanding the critical role of its human capital in sustaining the bank’s legacies, Alebiosu has invested himself and the bank’s resources in promoting staff welfare.

A comprehensive review of the bank’s compensation structure was undertaken to position it within the 75th percentile of the industry, making the bank more retentive of, and attractive to, the best talents. The highest number of staff promotions across various grades in the last five years has happened under Alebiosu’s watch, with 1,654 employees being elevated in one single promotion cycle.

Under his leadership, over 2,186 new hires have been recruited across key functions and subsidiaries, with a large number of them deployed to the sales function to ensure that retail customers are adequately served. Staff are now more engaged based on the high employee engagement score of 86% achieved in the April 2025 WorkBuzz survey, indicating remarkable progress in the bank’s multi-pronged efforts to promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

This drive to reinforce a culture of inclusion and recognition has been accentuated by the launch of a group-wide culture transformation initiative with the goal of embedding the core values of integrity, excellence and innovation. It has also been strengthened by a renewed focus on inclusion, collaboration and high performance. Also contributing was the staging of a FirstBank Employee Appreciation Day 2025 featuring, among others, a personalised appreciation video message from the CEO to all employees across the group throughout Africa and beyond. The inclusion message is further boosted by the launch of the inaugural edition of the bank’s pioneering initiative, Mandarin Language School, to bolster the bank’s expansion in the Asian market.

Expansion is a critical plank in FirstBank’s new strategic planning horizon, under Alebiosu’s leadership. Taking off this 2025, the plan seeks to reinforce the bank’s market dominance across all operational regions and it includes deliberate expansion into new markets within and outside Africa.

Beyond geographical and horizontal expansion, Alebiosu’s plan has also targeted a skyward expansion. Or how else does one describe the groundbreaking ceremony in March 2025 for the bank’s new green-certified, 44-storey iconic head office building in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos State?

Alebiosu is also prioritising the acceleration of process automation in recognition of the importance of digital transformation. It is a massive push for technological advancement that includes adopting robotics technology and artificial intelligence at scale, to give the bank an unassailable competitive advantage among its peers in the industry.

The bank has deployed digital tools to enhance seamless account opening and optimised backend systems and customer service delivery. Two additional Digital Experience Centres (DXCs) have been launched – one at Lekki Admiralty Way, Lagos State and the other at its UNN branch, Nsukka, Enugu State. Also, the bank’s agent network has expanded to over 280,000, a 50,000 increase from the 230,000 agents it had in 2023.

As expected, shareholders, among other stakeholders, have been observing the strides the bank has been making under Alebiosu’s leadership, with a keen eye on the numbers. Fortunately, again, the bank’s results for the financial year ended December 2024 speak volumes, with after-tax profit of its parent company rising to the highest point it has reached in the last 12 years, according to the company’s latest financial statement.

In recognition of his achievements within such a short period and his exemplary leadership, Alebiosu was honoured at the World Business Outlook Awards as “Banking CEO of the Year – Nigeria 2025”. He has also been honoured with the “Special African Banking Leadership Award” by African Leadership Magazine. This was in 2024.

The story of Alebiosu’s leadership at FirstBank has clearly been one of preparedness meeting legacy. Working with the board and management team, he has consistently sustained the bank’s legacies and also consolidated its recent gains in ways that will ensure the gains keep compounding. FirstBank, more than ever before, is poised for greater intra- and intercontinental growth and impact in the years ahead.

Source: Aniekan Ezekiel

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s public relations sector gathered at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2025, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), to chart a new course for Nigeria’s image on both national and global stages. Under the theme “Solid Minerals: A Solid Path to Nigeria’s Sustainable Economic Recovery – The Challenge for Public Relations,” the event spotlighted strategies for enhancing Nigeria’s reputation amid ongoing economic reforms and international engagements.

*A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Global Image*

The event held in Uyo, featured significant announcements, including Nigeria’s upcoming hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF). President and Chairman of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to showcase the country’s rich culture, vibrant music, exotic cuisine, and warm hospitality to the world. “At WPRF 2026, the world will savor Nigeria’s magnificent splendor, from our cuisine to our creativity,” he stated confidently. “Despite concerns about safety and tourism, Nigeria will present a compelling case for itself as a premier destination in Africa.”

Neliaku underscored the importance of proactive communication in shaping perceptions, sharing a recent experience where a simple question about Nigerian food became a metaphor for external perceptions. “The challenges of leadership in Nigeria are partly due to ineffective communication. Leaders need to share their visions openly and responsibly,” he said.

*Leadership and Rebranding through Strategic Appointments*

A major highlight was the installation of John Momoh, CEO of Channels Media Group, as the pioneer Chairman of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG)’s Body of Advisers. This strategic initiative by NIPR is dedicated to building and maintaining a positive national image. “Every negative post or harsh comment erodes our image,” said Momoh. “Let us instead share stories of innovation, resilience, and excellence within our borders, promoting constructive narratives that rebuild trust and credibility.”

Other notable appointments include Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, as Vice Chairman, and Mohammed Kudu Abubakar as Secretary. Dr. Momoh expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and called on Nigerians to use social media responsibly, advocating for a united effort to reposition Nigeria’s narrative positively.

*Stakeholders Call for Positive Narratives and National Unity*

Throughout the event, government officials and industry leaders stressed the importance of positive storytelling. Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, highlighted how negative news hampers foreign investment. “Our state is safe, peaceful, and investment-friendly,” she affirmed, urging practitioners to leverage their expertise in fostering peace and promoting government initiatives.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris, echoed this sentiment. “We need to speak good about our country,” he urged. “Constructive criticism is welcome, but we must focus on promoting Nigeria’s positive stories. Only then can we accelerate development and restore our national pride.”

*A Collective Responsibility for Nigeria’s Future*

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, called for unity among all stakeholders. “Reforms may take time, but they are underway,” he stated. “All of us—government, media, citizens—must work together to build a better Nigeria.”

The event also paid tribute to distinguished members of the profession with posthumous awards, honoring their contributions to nation-building and the public relations field.

*Conclusion: A Vision for a Resilient Nigeria*

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ike Neliaku emphasized the vital role of public relations in nation-building. “Our collective narratives shape perceptions. Every Nigerian has a role in telling our story—of resilience, innovation, and hope,” he said.

As Nigeria prepares to host the 2026 WPRF and strengthen its reputation management infrastructure, the stakeholders’ rallying cry is clear: to build a positive, credible, and inspiring national image that resonates both within and beyond our borders.

The vibrant city of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is set to host more than 1,000 delegates from across Nigeria and beyond, as the Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2025 officially kicks off on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), this year’s edition promises a dynamic and immersive five-day experience filled with knowledge sharing, strategic networking, and cultural celebration.

DAY 1 – Monday, May 19:
The week begins with the Public Relations Stakeholders’ Roundtable with Traditional Rulers, a strategic dialogue bridging culture and communication. This will be followed by the NPRW Undergraduates Forum, aimed at grooming the next generation of PR professionals.

Simultaneously, golf enthusiasts will gather for the NPRW Golf Kitty, adding a sporting flair to the day.

The evening will feature the Welcome Cocktail and Manifesto Night, where candidates for the NIPR Council election will engage delegates in an interactive forum.

DAY 2 – Tuesday, May 20:
The first full day of plenary and breakout sessions begins, featuring thought leaders and practitioners speaking on emerging trends and specialization in public relations.

A major highlight will be the Investiture of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State as a Patron of NIPR, a recognition of his administration’s support for communication and development.

The day will conclude with “Ndia Ibom” , a Food and Drink Festival showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Akwa Ibom.

DAY 3 – Wednesday, May 21:

Sessions continue with more plenary and breakout tracks, diving deeper into critical sectors of PR including tech, health, security, governance, and integrated marketing.

The evening will celebrate local fashion and identity with the Ethnik Fashion Nite, spotlighting the state’s diverse fashion culture.

DAY 4 – Thursday, May 22:
The spotlight turns to the NIPR Annual General Meeting, including Council Elections to elect new national officers. The day will end on a high note with a Closing Gala/Happy Hour, offering delegates a chance to unwind and network in a relaxed setting.

DAY 5 – Friday, May 23:
Delegates will embark on a guided tour of Akwa Ibom, experiencing the state’s scenic beauty, tourism, and cultural attractions.

The conference’s keynote address will be delivered by renowned tax expert, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, during the opening plenary.
Over the course of the week, sessions will be led by top communication scholars, consultants, and corporate leaders, including Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, fnipr; Mr. Yakubu Lamai, mnipr; Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, fnipr; Mr. Ali-Balogun, fnipr; Ms. Tolulope Olorundero, mnipr; Barr. Chimdi Neliaku, mnipr; Maryam Sanusi, fnipr; Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, mnipr; Dr. Adewale Oyekomi, mnipr; Prof. Saudat Abdul-Baqi, fnipr; Adetokunbo Modupe, mnipr; Dr. Monday Ashibogwu, fnipr; Mr. O’tega Ogra; Mr. Segun McMedal, mnipr; and Prof. Iyorza Stalinus, anipr.

According to Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, fnipr, Chairman of the NPRW 2025 National Planning Committee, “This year’s NPRW promises to be a convergence of ideas, people, and opportunities for our profession. From the roundtables to the cultural showcases, we are celebrating the essence and future of PR in Nigeria.”