Scholars have posited that Public Relations located in the precincts of communication discipline is both an art and a science. Taken in the realm of an artistic discipline, It employs strategic planning and engagement and deploys one or varied tactics to achieve it’s objectives. Public Relations also applies scientific approaches in the identification, determination and evaluation of It’s goals and objectives.
Experts have therefore defined Public Relations as a planned and deliberate efforts to create mutual understanding between an organization and it’s publics. The key words in the aforementioned definition are as follows:
PR is a planned as well as a deliberate project. Therefore it is not haphazardly put together like a sort of fire brigade approach.
PR has an ultimate goal in mind and that is to bring about a relationship that is mutually beneficial to all the stakeholders.
PR is definite. An application of the right principles of Public Relations is bound to create a harmonious relationship between wide spectrum of individuals or groups. The effects of a harmonious society can be felt or measured based on both inward and outward display of goodwill towards individuals in a given society or relationship.
Another important element to be noted about the communicative discipline of Public Relations is that it is designed to communicate to all parties in a relationship in a manner that is compelling and convincing and devoid of propaganda. Public Relations summarily is good manners devoid of deceit in whatever guise. I have actually taken so much liberty to describe what Public Relations is, though in brief. I might not have set out to discuss the practice of Public Relations here, but for emphasis, we need to appreciate It’s effects and importance in our daily living, government and administration. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State might not have schooled in the art and science of Public Relations, but he sure uses It’s tools massively to create exponential goodwill between his government and all the critical stakeholders in the state. His PR handlers must be appreciated too for immersing governor Ugwuanyi in the well spring of Public Relations that has enabled the state to cover greater mileage in peace and security of lives and properties of Ndi Enugu. I will like to use this platform to advocate for the application of PR principles in all facets of human endeavors. Everyone sure needs a PR. If you have followed this discourse from the beginning and failed to get my drift about how Governor Ugwuanyi has employed Public Relations strategies to make the success of all that might have been recorded in history as his accomplishments in government, then we might need a quick recap here.
It is important to reiterate that the relative peace and security being currently enjoyed by the residents of Enugu could be attributable to the deliberate and conscious efforts of governor Ugwuanyi led administration to create a harmonious atmosphere to fast-track socio-political and economic development of the state. The non existence since coming to power of some subtareanian political vanguards with the objective of beating opposition into submission or outrightly golgothan treatment of political dissidents is a clear indication that the governor’s mind is made up on how the state would be run. A state where every stakeholder irrespective of political, religious or clannish bent would be allowed to make an input howbeit little or great to the development of the state. Public Relations principles recognizes that all critical stakeholders has a right to be heard and not muzzled up. The expression of views by everyone in any strategic engagement have always engendered better understanding and goodwill.
Enugu State it must be emphasized is not peopled by Igbos alone. It is inhabited by peoples of different ethnic backgrounds, cultures and religion. Ugwuanyi’s efforts to maintain an equilibrium between peoples of divergent cultures in the state is not only commendable but deserves an Oscar. The Governor’s commitment to the issues of national unity is worthy of emulation. A Muslim faithful and the Sarkin Hausawa, Enugu State, Alhaji Abukakar Yusuf Sambo said this much on Monday, the 19th day of July 2021 when Governor Ugwuanyi in the spirit of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festivity presented food items and undisclosed amount of cash to the Muslim Community in the state seen as another major move to cultivate peace, national integration, unity and tolerance among people of divergent cultures. This must be seen also as good manners which Public Relations principles upholds in it’s finest form. Some people might have questioned the propriety or otherwise of the outreach program towards the Muslim community in the state. This might as well not be unconnected with the mindbase of the majority who have often viewed peoples of other culture and religion as their enemy that are better left in the cold or given the longest spoon while they were yet close. But governor Ugwuanyi is a leader who understands and appreciates the enormity of giving cold attitude to perceived enemies and would rather curry the understanding and friendship of both seen and unseen enemy to properly change the narrative of any perceived hatred. Today, while other neighboring states of Enugu might be having it rough with the multifaceted challenges of insecurity via herdsmen albatross, banditry, kidnap for ransom, armed robbery, political turmoil and assassination attempts, governor Ugwuanyi’s olive branch via robust Public Relations approaches have largely tamed the enemy and kept them in the cooler.
Another important episode which brought out the best in Ugwuanyi worth mentioning here took place a few months back when the ejection order by a competent court was served on the livestock traders who came largely from the northern part of the country on the new Artisan market. An attempt by the owners of the property where the livestock traders prevailed to execute the ejection order was ferociously resisted which threatened the relative peace in the metropolis. Again, governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi deployed a robust Public Relations tactics to rein in the protesting traders. Governor Ugwuanyi traded enormous resources away in exchange for a desired peace of the citizens. It did not waste time for the government to bring the situation under control. Not a whimp have been heard thereafter. Space might not really permit one to capture in vivid details governor Ugwuanyi’s trajectories in making Enugu State a home for all via the enormous goodwill he has gannerd for the state.
Surely, Rt. Honorable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is a Public Relations impresario par excellence.
#EnuguStateIsInTheHandsOfGod.
Bibian Anekwe News added …“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
Written by
© Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
A Political Analyst
Media Team Member: Enugu Di n’Akachukwu Movement
