Kogi Health Ministry Lauded By NIPR For Unity, Team Spirit And Dedication To Duty

By Rotimi Odofin

The Kogi State Ministry of Health has been commended for its unity, team spirit and dedication to duty, which have contributed significantly to the remarkable achievements currently being recorded in the state’s health sector.

The Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ismaila Isah, gave the commendation yesterday when the professional body paid an Advocacy and Courtesy Visit to the Ministry of Health in Lokoja.

Isah said the visit was aimed at deepening collaboration between the NIPR and the Ministry, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public relations practice and institutional communication across the state.

At the high-level meeting, the NIPR Chairman explained that the advocacy was designed to build stronger relationships with stakeholders and further expand the institute’s presence and membership among public and private sector practitioners.

He noted that state chapters serve as the operational backbone of the NIPR National Secretariat, making sustained engagement with stakeholders essential to the growth and development of the profession.

Isah disclosed that the NIPR platform provides numerous opportunities for members, while encouraging Information and Public Relations Officers to join the institute, meet professional compliance requirements and continually sharpen their skills in institutional communication.

He also commended the Ministry of Health for its accomplishments, attributing the successes to teamwork and the visionary leadership of the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza.

He expressed optimism that a stronger partnership between the Ministry and NIPR would further enhance the Ministry’s achievements and improve public communication of its programmes and policies.

Responding on behalf of the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Maaji Enoch, highlighted the progress recorded in expanding access to affordable healthcare under the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Mr. Enoch stressed the importance of effective communication and visibility in publicising the achievements of the Ministry’s 10 MDAs, all working towards the implementation of the Federal Government’s National Health Policy.

He said the Coordinating Commissioner operates an open-door policy and welcomed the proposed collaboration with NIPR.

The Permanent Secretary also pledged the Ministry’s support towards strengthening the institute’s presence in the state and ensuring that the Ministry’s communication officers receive additional professional training to enhance their effectiveness.

The meeting, which was attended by eight Directors of the Ministry, also witnessed the formal decoration of the Commissioner’s representative as an Ambassador of the NIPR Kogi State Chapter.

END