Deacon Olunkwa who garnered 32 votes, defeated the embattled ex MOUAU Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs. Onyinye Ralph-Nwachukwu who scored 26 votes.
Speaking during the event at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Pastoral Centre, Umuahia, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti reiterated his administration resolve to work closely with Members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR in information management and dissemination.
He reassured the group that the state government would continue to partner with the Institute to take its pride of place in the State.
Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, he further described the Theme of the event, “The Relevance of Public Relations in the 21st Century Democracy” as apt, adding that it was in line with the current democratic sittings.
In a welcome address, the outgone Chairman, NIPR, Sir Anyaso Anyaso while attributing the successes recorded during his tenure to the grace of God, appreciated the Members for their support in moving the Institute forward.
He enjoined the new leadership of the Institute to work assiduously towards moving the Institute forward and support programmes and activities of the present administration in the State.
In their separate remarks the National President of the Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku represented by Chief Ford Ozumba, and the Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Felix Erondu, disclosed that the role of NIPR in Nation building can not be over emphasized, urging them to always uphold the truth and show more professionalism in their job.
Delivering a lecture on Theme of the event, a Guest Lecturer, Prof Uwaoma Uche, said that the 21st Century of Public Relations (PR), has assumed a critical indispensable metrics in the social and political helm of affairs of the society.
Prof Uche described PR Officers as solution providers and urged them to protect the reputation and dignity of their profession.
In his remark, the newly elected Chairman, NIPR ,Abia state Chapter, Deacon Felix Olunkwa, thanked Members of the Institute for the confidence reposed in him and other elected Members through their votes, promising that they would live up to their billings.
The event had in attendance, the ex Federal Lawmaker that represented Obingwa/Ugwunagbo/Osisioma Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Abuja, Hon. Eziuche Ubani, government officials, among others.
