President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, has commended Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta for appointing Chief Patrick Ukah, a public relations practitioner, as Secretary to State Government (SSG).
A statement issued on Monday by Special Adviser to NIPR President on Media and Publicity, Stanley Ogadigo, quoted Sirajo as giving the commendation on Monday in Asaba during the inauguration of the SSG and nine other political appointees.
Sirajo, who expressed the institute’s confidence in Ukah’s ability, noted that the decision by the governor to engage ‘a core professional’ was the best option for the state.
According to him, appointment of capable hands in strategic positions at federal, state and local government levels is needed to fix the country, especially from the public relations angle.
“Since his induction as a certified member of the institute, the newly-appointed SSG has remained consistent in application of public relations skills and display of professionalism to achieve results.
“His appointment is based on competence which, we believe, will bring a lot of values to the state,” Sirajo said.
He pointed out that the SSG, in his previous positions as Commissioner for Information and later Commissioner for Basic Education, deployed ingenuity in achieving unprecedented milestones.
While describing Ukah as embodiment of professionalism and excellence, Sirajo assured that the institute would offer professional support to the state government towards achieving its goals.
Earlier in his address, the governor urged the appointees to see their appointments as a privilege to serve.
He appreciated the NIPR President for honouring the invitation and promised to work with the institute on achieving good governance.
On his part, the newly-inaugurated SSG, who doubles as the NIPR Chairman, Delta chapter, commended the governor for the confidence he reposed in him, which led to his appointment, pledging his commitment to duty.
Ukah, while thanking the NIPR president for making it to the event, said that the institute had greatly contributed to his success, both in leadership positions and other spheres of life.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had recently appointed Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, a Fellow of NIPR, as Chairman of the State Security Trust Fund.
