The House of Representatives Nigeria and officials from the Ugandan government on Monday commended Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, following his investiture as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.

The ceremony attracted political leaders, communication experts and other dignitaries, underscoring the growing importance of public relations in governance and national development.

President and Chairman of the NIPR Governing Council, Ike Neliaku, described Sule as a forward-thinking leader whose contributions to the profession have had significant impact. He noted that the institute had previously engaged the governor on areas needing improvement, which he said were promptly addressed.

According to Neliaku, Nasarawa State recorded notable progress in public perception following those interventions, with ratings rising from 30.4 per cent in 2024 to 83.6 per cent in 2026.

Also speaking, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi praised the governor’s support for initiatives aimed at grooming future public relations professionals, noting that such efforts would strengthen democratic participation and nation-building. He also advocated greater inclusion of women in governance.

In a goodwill message, Special Adviser to the Ugandan government on National Orientation and Transformation, Vincent Anibogu, commended Sule for collaborating with the institute to establish a university in Nasarawa State. He emphasised the need for practical, solution-driven education to enhance development and global competitiveness.

In his remarks, Sule thanked the institute for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to its objectives. He explained that the event was moved from Lafia to Abuja due to scheduling constraints, including an official engagement with Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

The governor said his involvement with the institute aligns with its focus on leadership, innovation and capacity building, which he described as critical to national progress.

The event was briefly disrupted by a power outage during goodwill messages, forcing attendees to rely on phone lights before electricity was restored.