The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, has commended Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for revitalizing The Nigerian Chronicle newspaper and the State Government Printing Press, now rebranded as the Cross River Information Hub.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the corporation’s premises in Calabar on Thursday, the NIPR President described the initiative as a bold and timely intervention aimed at strengthening government communication and preserving the state’s media heritage.
Dr. Neliaku praised the Governor’s leadership and resource management.
“Governor Bassey Otu is indeed a good man. A man who is managing resources well. A man who relates very well with the people. A man who understands what it means to give people what is due to them.
He is very respectful and very reassuring. That is why, sometime in March, I moved for you to be inducted as a Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. And I observed that when people address you, they often forget to add PNIPR. That honour was not dashed to you, it was earned on merit,” he said.
The NIPR President disclosed that he made deliberate efforts to attend the commissioning despite prior engagements.
“I had to insist on being in Cross River today. The first date was not convenient. The second date also clashed; I was out of the country. This third time, I was in Kenya when the Commissioner called, but I said to myself, I must come. So, sir, I congratulate you for this remarkable feat,” Dr. Neliaku stated.
Also speaking, media icon and former Editor of The Nigerian Chronicle and Newswatch Magazine, Chief Ray Ekpu, described the event as a homecoming.
“This is like coming back home for me. I worked in this building for six years. I rose from being a Features Writer to Editor. We fought many battles from here with our typewriters; we didn’t have computers at that time.
Some of those battles are documented in the book that has just been launched. I thank the Governor for bringing us back to where we stopped,” Chief Ekpu said.
He stressed the continued relevance of print media despite technological advancement.
“Even with the advancement in technology, the print media remains supreme. I am happy that the Governor has revived _The Nigerian Chronicle_ because there is still relevance for print media. There are still many battles to fight for Nigeria,” he added.
Chief Ekpu expressed excitement over the Governor’s intervention.
“Today is for us to celebrate what Governor Otu has done. I feel like dancing. Not only will he bring people back to work, but he will also give them the tools to fight the battles ahead,” he concluded.
The commissioning of The Nigerian Chronicle_ and the Information Hub forms part of the Otu-led administration’s commitment to revamping the information sector and ensuring effective dissemination of government policies.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, joined Governor Bassey Otu to inaugurate the newly remodelled edifice within the Ministry, now renamed the Information Hub.
The event also featured the presentation of certificates of appreciation to pioneer staff of The Nigerian Chronicle, including Chief Offiong Okon, and the launch of a book, “Cross River State Newspaper Corporation: A Journey Through the Ages", reviewed by Prof. Oka Obono with Engr. Ben Akak, National Deputy Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, chief launcher.
The ceremony was well attended by prominent sons and daughters of the state, alongside former employees of the newspaper corporation.
By Nakanda Iyadim
