EFFURUN/Nigeria: The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Professor Ezekiel O. Agbalagba, has reaffirmed the university’s commitment to professionalism, capacity building and effective institutional communication, pledging stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Delta State Chapter.
Professor Agbalagba made the commitment when a delegation of the NIPR Delta State Chapter, led by its Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, paid him a courtesy visit to congratulate him on his successful one year in office and explore areas of cooperation between the university and the institute.
The Vice Chancellor described strategic communication and stakeholder engagement as essential drivers of institutional growth and sustainable development, noting that universities must continue to invest in professional communication practices to strengthen their public image and service delivery.
He commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for its contributions to the advancement of public relations practice in the country and assured the delegation that FUPRE would continue to encourage its staff to take advantage of professional training and certification opportunities offered by the institute.
According to him, continuous professional development remains critical to enhancing institutional effectiveness and equipping communication personnel with the skills required to navigate the evolving media and public relations landscape.
Professor Agbalagba emphasized that FUPRE remains committed to maintaining high professional standards across its operations and would continue to support initiatives that promote excellence and competence among members of staff.
He acknowledged the statutory role of the NIPR as the regulatory body for public relations practice in Nigeria and stressed the importance of ensuring that communication professionals remain abreast of emerging trends, technological innovations and global best practices.
Earlier, the Secretary of the NIPR Delta State Chapter, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, congratulated the Vice Chancellor on his one-year anniversary in office, describing his leadership as impactful and transformative.
Enebeli used the opportunity to highlight the mandate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, explaining that the institute was established in 1963 and subsequently strengthened through legislation that empowers it as the statutory body responsible for regulating, certifying and monitoring public relations practice in Nigeria.
He noted that the NIPR Act empowers the institute to determine who is qualified to practise public relations in both public and private organisations, while ensuring adherence to professional ethics and standards.
According to him, the institute remains committed to promoting professionalism and ensuring that communication and public relations departments across institutions are managed by qualified and certified practitioners.
Enebeli further informed the Vice Chancellor that Delta State continues to play a significant role in the affairs of the institute at the national level, with the Director-General of the Delta State Capital Development Agency (DSCDA), Chief Patrick Ukah, serving as a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
He said the development has strengthened the chapter’s voice in national conversations on public relations practice and professional regulation.
The Chapter Secretary also highlighted several capacity-building programmes of the institute, including certification courses, executive masterclasses and professional development initiatives designed to equip communication practitioners with contemporary skills and competencies.
He disclosed that the institute provides opportunities for individuals without formal public relations qualifications to acquire professional training and certification, thereby expanding career opportunities and enhancing institutional communication effectiveness.
Enebeli appealed to the university management to continue supporting staff participation in NIPR programmes, stressing that exposure to professional training, industry networking and continuous learning would ultimately benefit the institution.
He also informed the Vice Chancellor about major national and international programmes of the institute, including upcoming conferences and the World Public Relations Forum, which is expected to attract communication experts and industry leaders from across the globe.
Speaking further during the visit, Chairman of the NIPR Delta State Chapter 2026 Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture Planning Committee, Mrs. Onyinyechi Udemezue, briefed the Vice Chancellor on the chapter’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture scheduled for June 24 and 25, 2026.
She explained that the first day of the programme would feature training and certification sessions for members, while the second day would be dedicated to the Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture.
According to her, the training component is designed to strengthen the professional competence of members and prepare them for greater responsibilities within the communications and public relations profession.
Mrs. Udemezue appealed to the Vice Chancellor to encourage staff members involved in communication, media and public relations functions to participate actively in the programme and other activities of the institute.
Other members of the NIPR Delta State Chapter delegation at the meeting included Barrister Larry Mogbeyiteren and Mrs. Francisca Okoro.
