By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Benue State Chapter, has pledged its professional support to the Benue State Ministry of Information and Orientation, with a call for stronger collaboration in strategic communication, public enlightenment and reputation management.
The Chairman of the Chapter, Dr. Philip Toryue, made the pledge on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, when he led a delegation of the Institute on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Chief Solomon Iorpev, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Makurdi, the Chapter PRO, C. T. Gbasha said in a statement.
Dr. Toryue congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment by the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, describing the appointment of a professional public relations practitioner to head the strategic ministry as a positive step towards strengthening government communication in the state.
According to the NIPR Chairman, the Institute, as the statutory professional body regulating Public Relations practice in Nigeria, is committed to supporting government in building public trust, managing perceptions and projecting Benue positively.
The statement reads further, "He proposed collaboration between the Institute and the Ministry in strategic communication and state branding, capacity building for information officers and media personnel, crisis and risk communication, media relations, public enlightenment and citizen engagement, noting that such collaboration would help reposition the state's communication architecture and ensure that government policies, programmes and achievements are effectively communicated to the people.
"A major highlight of the visit was the Chapter’s request for the support of the Benue State Government in showcasing the state at the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2026, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, with the theme, “Responsible Communication – The Voice of the World”.
"Contributing to the discussion, Fellow of the Institute and retired Permanent Secretary of the Benue State Government, Dr. Hyacinth Kyaagba, and former Director-General of Radio Benue, Dr. Charles Iornumbe, congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and commended Governor Alia for what they described as the appointment of a “round peg in a round hole”.
"They expressed optimism that the Commissioner would make a lasting impact in the ministry and contribute significantly to the professionalisation of information management and government communication in the state."
Responding, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, appreciated the NIPR delegation for the courtesy visit and conveyed his appreciation to the President and National Secretariat of the Institute.
He welcomed the proposals presented by the Benue State Chapter and promised to urgently work on the necessary processes to ensure that the professional and technical support offered by the Institute becomes useful to the Ministry.
The Commissioner specifically expressed readiness to support collaboration towards the forthcoming WPRF in Abuja and assured the Chapter that the Ministry would maintain an open door for productive partnerships.
The NIPR delegation included the Chairman, Dr. Philip Toryue; Fellow of the Institute, Dr. Hyacinth Kyaagba; Treasurer, Sylvia Womboh; Public Relations Officer, Cyprian Terhemba Gbasha; Welfare Officer, Joy Se-ember Abuul; former Director-General of Radio Benue, Dr. Charles Iornumbe; Director of Media, Publicity and Protocol, Jacob Tor Nongomin; Lecturer, Department of Public Relations, MOAUM, Dr. Terfa Igbe; Deputy Director, Programme Production, Radio Benue, Sir Thomas Yange; Principal Information Officers of the Benue State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Ephraim Hemben and Agnes Tiav; and Associate of the Institute, Emmanuel Ternenge Atuku. NNL.
