Benue to formalise public relations in civil service

The Benue State Government is considering the formal recognition of public relations as a career structure in the state public service, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, has said.

Kula disclosed this on Tuesday when the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Benue State chapter, led by its chairman, Philip Toryue, visited him at the Government House in Makurdi.

He said the proposal followed discussions at a recent workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and the NIPR for government spokespersons, adding that Alia had been briefed and was favourably disposed to implementing the idea in Benue.

According to Kula, the move would strengthen the professional management of government communication while improving public enlightenment, crisis communication and the response to misinformation and disinformation.

He also backed the institute’s proposal for regular training of government spokespersons and information officers, saying continuous professional development would help reduce misrepresentation and friction between government and the public.

Kula said the administration was willing to partner with the NIPR on professional communication and other initiatives that could contribute to the development of the state.

He said, “Governor Alia is ever willing to partner with any group with a positive agenda for the betterment of the state.”

The CPS also pledged to pursue opportunities for members of the Benue NIPR chapter to participate in the World Public Relations Forum scheduled to be held in Abuja in November.

He further said he would support the chapter’s efforts to secure permanent office accommodation in the state.

The proposed professionalisation of public relations comes as the institute seeks greater involvement in the appointment of communication personnel across the state’s public institutions.

Kula endorsed the proposed training programme, saying stronger professional capacity among government communicators would help limit misunderstanding and inaccurate representation of government policies and activities.

The CPS also said the administration was prepared to subject its record to public scrutiny through a proposed NIPR manifesto programme for candidates contesting the 2027 State House of Assembly, National Assembly and governorship elections.

He said the government would use the platform to respond to what it considers misinformation and disinformation about its activities.

The CPS said Alia inherited a state with significant development needs but had pursued projects and programmes in roads and other infrastructure, industry and education.

He said the administration would continue in consolidating its projects while urging the NIPR to intensify public orientation and efforts to combat false information, particularly on social media.

Earlier, Toryue said the chapter had more than 100 members working in ministries, departments and agencies, the media, private organisations and academia, but identified professional recognition, quackery and inadequate funding for capacity-building as major challenges.

He urged the government to enforce provisions of the NIPR Act by ensuring that public relations, press, information and protocol positions in government institutions, including local governments, were occupied by certified practitioners.

Toryue also asked the government to support the establishment of a permanent NIPR secretariat in Benue and provide funding for at least 20 members of the chapter to attend the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja from November 14.

The chapter proposed quarterly masterclasses for government spokespersons, media aides, press secretaries and local government information officers.

Toryue said the proposed sessions would focus on crisis communication, media relations and government image management.

The institute also wants to be formally engaged as a technical partner in government communication campaigns covering security, disease prevention, public sensitisation and other initiatives.

The NIPR chairman said the manifesto programme was part of the chapter’s preparations for the 2027 elections and that Charles Iornumbe would chair its organising committee.

Kula also pledged to participate in the chapter’s road show scheduled for Saturday, subject to his official engagements.

Toryue said the delegation also came to appreciate Alia for appointing Kula, a member of the institute, as his Chief Press Secretary and to congratulate him on the appointment.

He urged Kula to use his position to strengthen the relationship between the government and the professional body, particularly by advocating compliance with the NIPR Act.

Toryue said the institute was ready to assist the government with press release vetting, crisis communication, reputation management and responses to misrepresentation of government activities.

He also proposed an annual interaction between the governor and public relations practitioners in the state.

“When you succeed, NIPR succeeds, and when NIPR succeeds, Benue State’s image succeeds,” Toryue told Kula.

The delegation included Charles Iornumbe, Shimenenge Atime, Thomas Yange, Vera Kanyi and Cyprian Yange, among others.