Rivers
Imbibe Spirit Of Working From Home, Institute Tells Workers
Chairman of Rivers State branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN), Mr Kennedy Dike, has urged Nigerians to consider the need to work from home as a modern way of working regardless of its challenges.
Dike said this during the CIPMN’s 23rd Annual Conference held at the NBA House in Port Harcourt, recently.
The conference themed “Making Work Home, Making Home Work: The Emerging Reality” , was aimed at encouraging people to work from their respective homes unlike in the days of analogue when workers must be present at their places of work to perform a given task.
He further explained that the aim of the theme was to adequately appraise the changing narratives and pursue the opportunity that was open to work places and homes.
“There has been a total disruption of our hitherto reserved family life that we rarely wanted to introduce to the vicinities of our everyday work. Today and thanks to Covid-19 pandemic, our offices have been transferred to our homes and our working hours are now blurred that we hardly talk about opening and closing hours”, he said.
According to him, there are no more boundaries as work can now be done anywhere and everywhere.
Also speaking, the Vice President of the institute, Mr Henry Unuakpor, said that the modern way of doing business is now a reality, adding that the innovation is not without challenges, but must be embraced and surmounted.
“It is only the lazy man that will not come out because of the rumour of the presence of lion in the street. In life, there are challenges, so that of the technological issues must be over taken”, he said.
In her paper titled “What We Need To Do To Make It Work”, Mrs Calista Azogu, urged Nigerians to show commitment and dedication if they want the system to work.
Azogu listed power supply and distractions at home as some of the factors mitigating against Making Work Home and Making Home Work system, saying the system is cheap to operate if all enabling environment is provided.
By: King Onunwor
The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, Nyerisi Eli Woji (Eze Woji XII), His Majesty, King Prof. Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka, has called on communication professionals to rise above routine narratives and become vanguards in rebuilding public trust in the face of Nigeria’s challenging economic realities.
The revered monarch made the charge while delivering the Chairman’s Opening Remarks at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Rivers State Chapter, held in Port Harcourt, with the theme: “Refocusing Stakeholders’ Engagement and Public Trust in a Challenging Economy.”
The event, which drew leading figures in public communication, governance, and industry, witnessed presentations, keynote addresses and robust deliberations aimed at repositioning the PR profession to respond to national realities with innovation and integrity.
In his remarks, HM Eke commended the Rivers State Chapter of NIPR, led by Rev. Francis Asuk, for what he called its unwavering commitment to professionalism, knowledge-sharing, and continuous dialogue on issues affecting the nation’s social and institutional fabric.
He noted that the theme of the conference could not have been more appropriate, considering the current national climate where public confidence in institutions is at an all-time low, and economic uncertainties have strained relationships between stakeholders and the state.
“We are living in a season when trust has become a scarce commodity. Citizens are asking tough questions, and institutions are struggling to maintain credibility. In such a time, the role of the Public Relations professional becomes even more crucial”, he said.
The Eze Gbakagbaka, who is the Chairman, Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, noted that Public Relations practitioners must understand their strategic role as mediators between the people and the truth, adding that the tools of their trade: honest communication, transparency, and empathy, must be wielded with renewed purpose and patriotism.
“You are the bridge between the people and the truth; between perception and reality. Your work determines whether society believes, doubts, or hopes again. Let this conference remind us that trust is not demanded, it is earned”, he urged.
He emphasized that the restoration of trust in both public and private sectors requires consistent, deliberate, and sincere stakeholder engagement.
According to him, when communication is driven by integrity, not propaganda, society will gradually find its voice and confidence once again.
“With transparent communication and genuine engagement, even in a difficult economy, confidence can be restored”, the monarch said, urging the delegates to see themselves not just as professionals, but as nation-builders with a moral obligation to influence public perception positively.
The Evo apex King, who is also a Fellow of the Institute, called on participants to approach the discussions with open minds and patriotic intent, stressing that every contribution must be geared towards rebuilding national cohesion and institutional trust.
“With a deep sense of honour and responsibility”, he declared, “I, His Majesty, King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, JP, Eze Gbakagbaka, Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, Nyerisi Eli Woji (Eze Woji XII) and Chairman, Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, formally declare open the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Rivers State Chapter to the glory of God and for the good of our society.”
At a post conference courtesy call at the instance of the Eze Gbakagbaka, the President of the Association, Dr. Ike Neliaku, described the Kung as an astute Fellow who is determined to add colour to the Institute regardless of any odds.
Also, the Council Member, Pastor Palunius Nsirim, who corroborated the President’s position, noted that His Majesty’s recognition was something valid given his contributions to the growth of the association.
“We value your presence with us. We will continue to benefit from your wise counsel. We won’t take your support for granted”, he said.
Climax of the visit was the decoration of Dr. Neliaku by the Evo apex King as a Honorary citizen of the Kingdom.
By: King Onunwor