By Erhauyi A Joe
The Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, has been honoured with the prestigious award of excellence in recognition of his outstanding dedication and exemplary service, as an innovative HOS, by the State Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council.
In his acceptance speech at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City, the HOS, represented by the functioning Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service (OHOS), Mr. Edwin Oaikhena Edionweme, commended the Leadership of the Chapel and appreciated them for their work, with the charge that they should not relent in publicizing the State Government appropriately.
The HOS hinted that preparations were on for due date of 1st January, 2027 promotion of public servants in Edo State, a feat which has not been heard among the commitee of states in the Country. He urged ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) to key into the culture of appreciating staff, as part of efforts to spur them to deliver more on their job optimally, which is part of initiatives of the OHOS.
Presenting the award, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Dr. Desmond Agbama, said he was honoured to present such an award to the HOS, whom he described as a versatile administrator, who has brought progressive innovations into the Edo State Public Service. He cited the initiatives of the HOS to include the Edo Cloud 2.0, the EdoPREP, among others, and congratulated him, wishing him more fruitful accomplishment in his endeavours.
The Chairman of the NUJ, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, represented by the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Andy Egbon, commended the State Information Chapel for its vision of equipping its members through exposure to relevant information and skills. He submitted that the Chapel’s vision is progressive being the first to have organised an event of such magnitude in the current year, and has paid its Union dues on behalf of members till June.
The Chapel’s Chairman, Comrade Erharuyi Aimuanmwosa Joe, stated that the Forum was a platform for the Chapel to sharpen the skills of its members and to facilitate better service conditions for their welfare. He commended the various interventions of the State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, and recommended Weigh-in and hazard allowances, specific job description for journalists cum PROs, as part of incentives that would elicit more commitments in the discharge of their duties, against apathy, which he described as worse than ignorance.
Comrade Erharuyi decried how unidentified self-acclaimed personal assistants to principals of MDAs hijack the duties of PROs, and the forfeiture of salary arrears, which accrue from promotion, could breed apathy. He recommended that the administration of Sen. Okpebholo should write its name in gold, by paying outstanding arrears from promotion and to clearly define the duties of PROs.
The Resource Person and Co-Founder/Executive Director of Icon Brand Solutions, Ibigotemieari Adebiyi, in her lecture, asserted that Public Relations (PR) is not a support function, but central to governance success. She submitted that PR is not just about managing information or communication, but about managing perception, trust, reputation, and ultimately, the success of governance itself.
Adebiyi argued that when PROs step into their full capacity and institutions recognise that value, communication becomes clearer, policies gain acceptance, and governance becomes more effective. She charged PROs to think strategically on what people would understand, seek early involvement by engaging before policy rollout. She added that PROs should own the institutional voice, be clear, consistent, confident, develop insight, understand public sentiment, build credibility and be consistent to earn public trust.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Director of Information, Mrs. Maureen N. Nwine; the Treasurer of the NUJ, Edo State Council, Comrade Solomon Obozoyan; the Auditor of the NUJ, Edo State Council, Comrade Paul Iduoze; Comrade Charles Kiseh of Vibes FM, among others.
