By Abbas Bamall
Katsina, Jan. 3, 2026 (NAN) – In a significant boost for professional public relations in Northern Nigeria, Senator Ibrahim Idah, the Wazirin Katsina and Secretary of the Katsina Council of Emirs, has thrown his full weight behind efforts to revitalize the Katsina State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Senator Idah gave this assurance while receiving the state leadership of the NIPR on a strategic courtesy visit at his palace in Katsina on Saturday. The endorsement from a figure of his dual stature—a respected traditional leader and a political heavyweight—signals a pivotal moment for the chapter’s revival, blending cultural authority with institutional support.
In his remarks, Idah elevated the discourse around the Institute’s role, describing it as far more than a typical professional association. “The NIPR is an essential institution,” he stated, “that equips its members with the critical skills for effective and ethical public engagement across all spheres of governance, business, and community life. In an era of information overload and misinformation, this function has never been more vital.”
Highlighting his personal commitment, Idah revealed, “I am also a member of this professional body and maintain a cordial relationship with its national leadership. The National President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, is both a friend and a brother.” This personal connection underscores a direct line of communication between the chapter and the NIPR’s national body, facilitating aligned strategies for growth.
The Wazirin Katsina concluded with a firm pledge: “I will do everything within my capacity to ensure the Institute achieves its objectives and regains its vibrancy and influence within our state.”
The delegation, led by the Chapter Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Ango, outlined the urgent need for revival. Ango recalled that the current executive was inaugurated in October 2025 with a clear mandate to reposition the chapter. “Our visit today is to solicit your esteemed support as a father and leader in this mission,” he explained. A key tactical goal is to boost local membership and encourage Katsina indigenes who registered with NIPR chapters in other states—often due to work postings—to formally migrate their membership back home, thereby strengthening the local chapter’s capacity and legitimacy.
In a symbolic and strategic gesture, the chapter leadership presented Senator Idah with a Certificate of Fellowship and formally inaugurated him as a Patron of the Institute in Katsina State. This role is expected to involve advocacy, mentorship, and leveraging his network to open doors for the NIPR’s initiatives.
In a parallel engagement that highlights the chapter’s multi-pronged approach, the NIPR team also visited Alhaji Lawal Rufa’i-Safana, the Special Adviser to Governor Dikko Radda on Local Government Inspectorate. This move targets the grassroots engine of public communication: local government information officers.
Chairman Ango disclosed a critical advantage: the NIPR has been fully integrated into the national civil service structure, allowing certified members to rise to the pinnacle of Grade Level 17. However, he lamented a major gap: “Many information officers across our state’s local governments are not registered with the Institute. This limits their access to mandatory professional training, continuous development, and the career benefits tied to NIPR membership.”
In response, Rufa’i-Safana pledged immediate action. “I will ensure that all local government information officers in Katsina State register with the NIPR,” he committed. He also turned the request into a mutual action point, urging the Institute to “organize specialized training programmes for these officers to enhance their performance, with a particular focus on the demands of digital and online communication.” This exchange points to a practical, outcome-driven partnership aimed at professionalizing the state’s entire public information apparatus.
The day’s engagements represent a comprehensive strategy for revival: securing high-level traditional and political patronage, actively recruiting and repatriating members, and embedding professional standards into the fabric of local government administration. The revival of the NIPR Katsina Chapter, therefore, is not merely about restarting meetings; it is a concerted effort to elevate the standard of public communication and trust-building in the state’s governance and development narrative. (NAN)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
