Dr AbdulBaqi who is of the Mass Communication Department of the University of Ilorin and the immediate past chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the Institute polled seven hundred and thirteen votes to become a member of the Governing Council, in the national convention that lasted till the early of this morning.
Dr Ikechukwu Neliaku got eight hundred and thirty votes to defeat his arch-rival Nkechi Ali Balogun of the Lagos chapter who garnered three hundred and seventy-five votes to become the new President of the Institute.
The former National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress Alhaji Lanre Issa Onilu also made the five-man federal Government appointed members of the Governing Council.
Professor Emmanuel Dan Daura equally merged as the NIPR’s Vice Chairman.
Other members of the Governing Council include Professor Kate Azuka, Professor Sarah Benjamin, Doctor Adewale Oladipo, Dr Sule Ya’u Sule, Bashir Adamu Chedi, Adaramola Temitope, Kabir Ali Kobi, Okoh Thelma Chika, Olubunmi Adedoyin and Akin Agbejule.
In his acceptance speech, the new President promised to use the mandate to rebrand the nation and serve humanity.
Doctor Neliaku promised to ensure that only professionals practice Public Relations and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing core Professional, Alhaji Muhammed Idris Malagi as the new Minister of Information and Culture.