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By Madu Obi
Renowned political economist and founder of the Centre for Values and Leadership (CVL), Professor Pat Utomi, has advocated for an effective National Orientation Agency (NOA), a redesigned National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and values-based political parties to achieve social reconciliation and a commitment to truth and justice in Nigeria.
Speaking as the lead paper presenter at the 2nd Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe Lecture Series organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in collaboration with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) at the Igbariam campus of the university, Utomi emphasized the urgent need to hold political office holders accountable to reduce the ignorance and dysfunction in the country, which, according to him, is essential for achieving peace and reconciliation among the various tribes in Nigeria.
In his paper titled, “Achieving Peace and Reconciliation in Nigeria: The Public Relations Approach,” Utomi noted that many people he described as self-centered Nigerians act out of selfishness or along tribal lines and often perceiving those outside their ethnicity or religion as enemies.
He said: “Politicians often seek scapegoats, and people, especially in this part of the world, are gullible. In this era of social media, many do not verify information before forming opinions about others.
Such people are counterproductive to their own and others’ interests. They harm others without any personal gain and recognize only their immediate circle—family, ethnic group, or religion—and view anyone outside their tribe as an enemy to be silenced.
When you see someone fervently supporting a politician whose actions are detrimental to the common good, you are witnessing stupidity, regardless of their education or status. When people become stupid, society faces a grave crisis.”
Stupidity can masquerade in journalism, academia, and even religious leadership. Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; not to speak is to speak, and not to act is to act.
"To recognize the dangerous times we live in, one must simply observe the current state of Nigeria and the alarming number of ignorant individuals acting against the common good. This observation is not intended as an insult, but rather a reflection of societal phenomena.”
Utomi stressed that a key role of public relations is to hold politicians accountable and diminish the influence of ignorance in Nigeria.
In a welcome address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of COOU, Professor Kate Omenugha, said the lecture series aligns with the three pillars of her administration, which are Values, Viability, and Visibility.
According to Omenugha, the theme of the lecture was both timely and critical, emphasizing Nigeria’s extraordinary diversity and the potential for discord if challenges are left unaddressed.
“This lecture serves as a platform for learning, inspiration, and collaborative action towards peace,” she added.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, remarked that the event was instituted to honor Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, recognizing his contributions as a public relations practitioner and leader.
He emphasized the need to improve Nigeria’s reputation, which can be achieved by promoting public relations as a core leadership function, ensure responsible communication from leaders, and establish sustainability plans for future initiatives.
In his remarks, HRM Obi Alfred N. Achebe expressed gratitude for the honor of having the lecture series institutionalized.
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