Public Relations experts have commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of the world’s first University of Public Relations and Leadership (UPRL) in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
The experts gave the commendation at the 2026 Conference and annual general meeting of the Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Prof. Justin Green, President, Global Alliance, who spoke virtually, described the move as historic and a game-changer for leadership development in Africa.
Green said that the university is being established through a partnership between the NIPR, Global Alliance for Public Relations, Nasarawa State Government and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nasarawa State Government donated 100 hectares of land for the project and presented the conveyance of approval for the site among other contributions to ensure the take-off of the institution.
On his part, Dr Ike Neliaku, President of NIPR praised Gov. Sule for translating vision into tangible achievement, saying the university and other projects carried out by the Sule administration place Nasarawa on the global map.
He noted that the governor is sending a powerful message, not only to Nigeria but to the entire world, that Nasarawa State is no longer at the margins of history, but has created history.
According to Neliaku, the leadership component of the university would address underdevelopment and raise a new generation of credible leaders, while the Global Alliance would provide global faculty and technical support to ensure international standards.
The NIPR president further urged the Nasarawa State Governor to ensure that whoever succeeds him in 2027 outperforms his administration to sustain the development in many sectors and improve on them for the benefit of the people of the state.
On the election of the officials of the institute in Nasarawa State, Neliaku congratulated them and wished them a successful tenure.
In his goodwill message, Gov. Sule revealed how his administration revived Nasarawa State’s solid mineral sector, which was moribund despite the issuance of over 400 mining licences by the Federal Government.
The governor explained that he discovered on assumption of office in 2019 that none of the licensed companies was operating due to insecurity and lack of access roads as well as other infrastructure to mineral-rich areas.
Sule said he immediately approached former President Muhammadu Buhari, who provided military support and established security outfits in the affected areas, while the state government complemented the effort by constructing roads and other critical infrastructure leading to the mining sites.
“We provided security and infrastructure to the areas endowed with mineral resources before we put structures on the ground to ensure that any company mining in the state must process and add value to the mineral before exporting it.
“We are already working towards ensuring that some of these companies will process the mineral resources into finished products in the state,” Sule stated.
On his legacy, the governor said he would not want to be remembered for physical infrastructure like flyovers, underpasses, the new State Secretariat and modern bus terminals, noting that with evolving technology, such structures become obsolete with time.
“I want to be remembered for the peace being enjoyed under my administration, where mining can now go on in places that were hitherto facing security challenges.
“Also, I want to be remembered for building institutes that will provide certified technicians needed for modern development anywhere in the country, to replace technicians currently being imported from China, Japan and other developed nations,” he added.
The Governor further expressed confidence that his preferred successor in 2027 would outperform him, just as his administration has surpassed the achievements of previous administrations. (NAN).
