The newly inaugurated Executive Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abia State Chapter, on Friday held its maiden Executive Retreat in Umuahia, aimed at strengthening strategic planning, deepening role clarity, and ensuring that leadership decisions are anchored on integrity, transparency, and excellence.
In her welcome remarks, the Chapter Chairman, Onyinye Raph-Nwachukwu, fnipr, charged members of the Executive Council to fully embrace the retreat as a learning opportunity and a platform for collective growth.
She described leadership as a call to service rather than a position of privilege, emphasizing the responsibility of inspiring members and creating lasting value for both the Institute and the wider public relations community.
“I thank God for the privilege of leadership and for the grace that has brought us together in unity of purpose. Leadership is not merely a position or a title; it is a call to serve, to inspire, and to create lasting value for our members and the public relations profession,” she said.
According to her, the retreat was intentionally designed to go beyond routine planning.
“This retreat is designed to achieve more than planning. It is an opportunity for alignment—alignment of vision, values, strategy, and action. We are here to deepen our understanding of our roles, strengthen our shared values, and ensure that every decision we take is anchored in integrity, transparency, and excellence,” she added.
The retreat featured three seasoned facilitators—Prof. Okpete Rose Kanu, Rev. Fr. Vitus Chibuisi Ekeh, and Dr. Heavens Obasi—who delivered lectures on key leadership and professional development themes, including Leadership, Values and Inner Alignment: Strengthening Abia NIPR; Modern Public Relations Practice, Innovation and Member Value in Abia NIPR; and Vision, Policy and Institutional Growth of Abia NIPR.
Delivering her lecture, Prof. Rose Kanu advised the executives to adopt strategic leadership rooted in the vision and mission of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
“A strategic leader focuses on the long-term vision of the organization. Whatever the executives seek to achieve must be drawn from the vision of the Institute. A strategic leader leads from behind, is involved in the progress of members, listens to criticisms, and learns from them rather than responding ” she noted.
She further reminded participants that self-awareness is critical to effective leadership, stressing that “nobody sees his or her back.”
In his presentation, Rev. Fr. Vitus Chibuisi Ekeh described leadership as a divine mandate, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people they serve.
“Leadership is not about self. You are accountable to the people. Through values, we develop ourselves and the institutions we lead,” he said.
On his part, Dr. Heavens Obasi emphasized the importance of trust-based relationships between the Abia State Chapter of NIPR and its publics, urging proactive communication and crisis preparedness.
“It is important to announce ourselves positively and not demarket ourselves. Organizations can plan ahead of crises rather than waiting for them to occur,” he advised.
Members of the Executive Council present at the retreat included the Vice Chairman, Oluchi Iyke Odionyenfe; Secretary, Ori Innocent Onuoha; Treasurer, Mrs. Onyinyechi Obi; Assistant Secretary/ICT Officer, Pastor Victor Onwuka; Financial Secretary, Grace Gbagi; Public Relations Officer, Hon. Promise Uzoma Okoro; Welfare Officer, Amaka Unamba; and Auditor, Hon. Cletus Nwankwo. Also in attendance were two Ex-Officio members, Sir OJ Bob Amanze and Comr. Chinkwe Ikenyi
The retreat marked a significant step in positioning the Abia NIPR leadership for purposeful governance, institutional growth, and professional excellence.
Promise Uzoma Okoro (PUO)
Public Relations Officer
NIPR Abia State Chapter
