Ikpeazu urges commitment toward building Abia image

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has called on residents of the state to show greater commitment in promoting programmes and policies that will help to build the Abia image.

Ikpeazu made the call at the opening of the 2021 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abia chapter, held on Tuesday in Umuahia.

It was reported that the theme of the event is: “Marketing Abia: The Public Relations Perspective”.

Ikpeazu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Anthony Agbazuere, urged the people of Abia to deliberately tell positive narratives about the state.

He said that government was working towards establishing a structure that would enable Abia to take its pride of place in the comity of states.

He said: “The state government is building on the positive foundation of our founding fathers.

“The government is geared towards building Abia to become an epicentre of entrepreneurial excellence and an investors’ haven.

“The people of Abia need to be more patriotic because with patriotism and our national resources, the public image of Abia would be promoted.”

In a speech, Mr Muktar Sirajo, the National President of NIPR, described the promotion of the image of Abia as a deliberate act that required the contribution of the people of Abia.

Sirajo, represented by Mr Tony Oseloka, said that patronising “Made in Abia” products was the best way to record considerable success in promoting the image of Abia.

Also, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate Minority Leader, described the theme of the event as apt and relevant in facilitating the development agenda of the state government.

Abaribe, who was represented by Rep. Uzoma Abonta, said the event would help to redirect the public to develop a positive outlook of Abia in order to take it to greater height.

Mr Sam Hart, the Director-General of Abia State Marketing and Quality Marketing Agency, described public relations as a key component in attaining socioeconomic advancement.

“The state government has leveraged areas of comparative advantage to build and maintain a good public image of Abia.

“We created a state logo, state anthem, initiated influencer marketing of “Made in Abia” brand to build positive index and image for Abia in order to raise investors’ confidence,” Hart said.

He said the state government had engaged in a planned and sustained efforts toward promoting the image of the state.

Earlier, Mr Anyaso Anyaso, the state Chairman of NIPR, said the theme of the AGM was chosen to checkmate the penchant of some people engaging in outright demarketing of Abia.

Anyaso urged the people of Abia to desist from destroying the image of the state through bad publicity.

According to him, it is the collective duty of the people of Abia to give the state a better image.