By Joy Onu
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has been inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), in recognition of his contributions to strategic communication and national development.
In a press statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Abdullahi Mohammed, the honour was described as one of the Institute’s highest distinctions, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and influence in advancing the ideals and professional standards of public relations.
According to the statement, the fellowship was conferred on Thursday during a ceremony that also featured the induction of other distinguished personalities who have made notable contributions to leadership, public communication, and national development.
The Institute noted that Goronyo’s recognition reflects his consistent advocacy for transparency and effective communication in the implementation of government programmes, particularly within the infrastructure sector.
Reacting to the honour, the minister described the fellowship as both a recognition of service and a call to greater responsibility in promoting ethical communication in governance.
He emphasised that clear and responsible communication between government institutions and citizens remains vital in building public confidence and ensuring that Nigerians are properly informed about development initiatives across the country.
Goronyo also urged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to further deploy its professional platforms to promote wider public awareness of government policies and programmes, particularly those relating to infrastructure development under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He added that the Institute, as Nigeria’s foremost professional communication body, has an important role in shaping public understanding of policy reforms and development projects.
The minister also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote professionalism, capacity building, and adherence to global best practices within the public relations sector.
Meanwhile, several other prominent figures from different sectors were also named Honorary Fellow-designates during the event.
They include the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu; the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Gwabin Musa; President of the African Public Relations Association, Arik Karani; and the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Ishaq Oloyede.
Others honoured include former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Suleiman Elias Bogoro; Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Samson Duna; Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Sa’adatu Hassan Liman; and Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Ayo Omotayo.
Also listed are Group Chief Executive Officer of DAAR Communications Plc, Marcel Anyalechi; President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Audu Titus Amba; among other distinguished personalities recognised for their contributions to governance, education, security, traditional leadership, and media development.
The Institute stated that the selection of the awardees reflects a broad recognition of excellence, integrity, and dedication to advancing communication as a strategic instrument for national development.
