The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, has said that Governor Hyacinth Alia is willing to partner with any group that has a positive agenda for the betterment of the state.
Kula gave the assurance on Tuesday when the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Benue State Chapter, led by its chairman, Dr Philip Toryue, paid him a courtesy visit at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi. He assured the institute of the administration’s support and partnership in strengthening government communication and promoting the image of the state.
According to the CPS, the government is prepared to collaborate with NIPR on professional communication, public enlightenment, crisis management and efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation. He disclosed that discussions had begun on establishing public relations as a recognised career structure in the Benue State Public Service, following deliberations at a recent joint workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and the NIPR. Governor Alia, he said, had been briefed on the matter and was favourably disposed to domesticating it in the state.
Kula endorsed the proposed annual training programme for government spokespersons and information officers, noting that continuous professional development would help reduce misrepresentation, friction and misunderstanding among public officials. He also pledged to work towards securing participation slots for members of the Benue NIPR chapter at the World Public Relations Forum scheduled for Abuja in November and to support efforts to secure permanent office accommodation for the state chapter.
On the proposed NIPR manifesto debate for candidates contesting seats in the State House of Assembly, National Assembly and the governorship ahead of the 2027 elections, Kula indicated the administration’s openness to constructive engagement. He said the Alia administration was willing to subject its record to public scrutiny and would use available platforms to respond to what it considers misinformation and disinformation about its activities. He also pledged to participate in the NIPR roadshow scheduled for Saturday, subject to his official engagements.
Speaking on the administration’s performance, Kula said Governor Alia assumed office with a clear vision for Benue State and that progress was being recorded in roads and other infrastructure, industries, education and other sectors. He urged the NIPR to play a more active role in public orientation and the fight against the spread of false information, particularly on social media.
Earlier, Dr Philip Toryue explained that the delegation visited to appreciate the Governor for appointing one of its members as Chief Press Secretary, congratulate Kula on his appointment, brief him on the state of the institute in Benue and seek government support. He said the chapter has more than 100 members working across ministries, departments, agencies, the media, the private sector and academia, but faces challenges such as professional recognition, quackery and inadequate sponsorship for capacity-building programmes.
Toryue appealed to Kula to serve as the institute’s voice in government and to advocate compliance with the NIPR Act, particularly by ensuring that public relations, press, information and protocol positions in government institutions are occupied by NIPR-certified practitioners. He sought support for the establishment of an NIPR secretariat in Benue and sponsorship for at least 20 members to attend the World Public Relations Forum. He also requested approval for quarterly masterclasses for government spokespersons, media aides and information officers covering crisis communication, media relations and government image management, as well as the inclusion of NIPR as a technical partner in government communication campaigns.
The institute, he added, was ready to support the government in press release vetting, crisis communication, reputation management and efforts to address misrepresentation of government activities. Toryue further announced plans for a political manifesto programme for candidates ahead of the 2027 elections and appealed for government support for the NIPR roadshow aimed at promoting awareness of the World Public Relations Forum.
Describing Kula as the pride of the institute, Toryue said, “When you succeed, NIPR succeeds, and when NIPR succeeds, Benue State’s image succeeds.” Members of the delegation included Dr Charles Iornumbe, Prof. Shimenenge Atime, Thomas Yange, Mrs Vera Kanyi and Cyprian Yange, among others.
