• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Trade Facilitation: Nigeria Customs, NACCIMA Strengthen Partnership

      Economic Confidential to Host 3rd Public Lecture, Unveil Books on Nigeria’s…

      Luanda Summit: AUDA-NEPAD Taps AI, Green Bonds as it Launches Marketplace…

      Tinubu Jets to Brazil After Japan Summit, Eyes Trade, Security Deals

      Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji,

      Customs and the “National Single Window” Project

  • National
    • President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      Tinubu Vows Tech-Driven Development, Food Security, Urges Diaspora Participation

      FG to Spend N750bn on Pension Bond, Expands Free Medical Services…

      Colonel (rtd) Muhammad Mana

      Tribute to Colonel Mohammed Mana: An Officer & Gentleman ​By Sani…

      Nigerian Youths

      Youth Group Launches Digital Hub to Counter Violent Extremism

      ASUU

      ASUU Warns of Fresh Strike Over Unfulfilled 2009 Agreement

    • Government
      • President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

        Tinubu Vows Tech-Driven Development, Food Security, Urges Diaspora Participation

        DG VON Jibrin Baba Ndace

        Voice of Nigeria Restores TX2 Shortwave Antenna to Global Service

        ASUU

        ASUU Warns of Fresh Strike Over Unfulfilled 2009 Agreement

        Pantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian…

        Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

        African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

  • Security
    • FG, Nigerian Army Partner to Tackle Proliferation of Small Arms

      Troops Repel Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack, Eliminate Scores in Borno

      Colonel (rtd) Muhammad Mana

      Tribute to Colonel Mohammed Mana: An Officer & Gentleman ​By Sani…

      Nigerian Youths

      Youth Group Launches Digital Hub to Counter Violent Extremism

      Anambra Police Bust Robbery Syndicate, Recover Phones, Tricycles

  • Features
    • Colonel (rtd) Muhammad Mana

      Tribute to Colonel Mohammed Mana: An Officer & Gentleman ​By Sani…

      Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

      African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

      CG Custom Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Zacch Adedeji

      Is Zacch Adedeji Building Bridges for Nigeria’s Revenue Future? By Yushau…

      Army soldiers security

      Mattress of Terror: Can Nigeria Ever Be Truly Secure? By Haroon…

      The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

      Ribadu and the fall of Ansaru By Senator Iroegbu

  • State
    • FG, Nigerian Army Partner to Tackle Proliferation of Small Arms

      Troops Repel Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack, Eliminate Scores in Borno

      Anambra Police Bust Robbery Syndicate, Recover Phones, Tricycles

      EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of N246m Shares Ex-Army General

      NAF logo

      NAF Begins DSSC Recruitment for 2025, Reiterates Commitment to Transparency

  • Event
    • Economic Confidential to Host 3rd Public Lecture, Unveil Books on Nigeria’s…

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      His Death is a National Loss, Tinubu Mourns Emir of Zuru

      Umar Lauya

      Umar Lauya Declares Candidacy for NYCN Presidency, Vows to Unite and…

      The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Department Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin (L), with the CEO of Legacy Sugar Company, Alh. Abubakar Isa Musa (R), during the signing ceremony.

      NSDC, New Operators Seal Landmark Development Agreements, to Produce 400,000MT of…

      Regional Vice President Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Mr Ousmane Diagana pays a courtesy visit to Baze University

      World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features My voyage on the (River) Niger
  • Features

My voyage on the (River) Niger

By
Jibrin Baba Ndace
-
July 20, 2019

My voyage on the (River) Niger
By Jibrin Baba Ndace

‘Everyone needs a strategy…’ – Lawrence Freedman

Three years ago, precisely in November 2015, I was entrusted with the responsibility of being the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the dynamic and amiable Governor of Niger State, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Sani-Bello.

Three years down the road, I can look back with utmost satisfaction and deep sense of fulfilment that I executed my mandate diligently, ethically and professionally in line with global best practices.

All these years, I approached each task as every arrowhead should: with passion, dedication, courage, loyalty and an unquenchable desire to make a difference. I took on my assignment with Aristotle’s concept of work in mind: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work”. I also imbibed Muhammad Ali’s dictum: “Don’t count the days; make the days count.” I aligned with Maya Angelou on creativity: “You can’t use up creativity; the more you use, the more you have.”

For me, like a professional photographer, every moment counts! Above all, I was never afraid of making mistakes. As a military brat, I was very mindful of the advice given to newly promoted military officers that: “It is not what you do to get to a rank that matters, but what you do on the rank.”

In my years as a journalist and public relations practitioner, I have learnt the art of sacrifice, hard work and commitment as my guiding principles. It is with this mindset and temperament that I handled the onerous task of managing the reputation of my former principal.

In executing my mandate, I stood firm on my principles of doing my job professionally and ethically in line with global best practices in reputation and brand management for the governor and for the good of Nigerlites.

I set out with a vision to consistently and strategically deploy PR and media expertise in the reputation management of my principal in line with the cardinal priority of the administration.

To achieve the set goal, I galvanized the human and material resources available to me nationally and globally. Fully aware of the challenges of being a reputation manager in the age of social media, I deployed appropriate PR strategies in closing the inherited lacuna through creation of subtle, truthful, believable, and timely narratives acceptable to various publics on traditional and online platforms.

In line with the corporate values of professionalism, teamwork, creativity, dynamism, integrity, commitment and innovation, I rebranded the department from ‘Press Crew’ to NIGGOVMEDIATEAM (an acronym for Niger Governor Media Team).

In the last three years, with the robust collaboration of my staff and the support of other professional colleagues, we conceived creative and dynamic ideas as well as laudable initiatives to support the agenda of the Governor, such as the establishment of the FOSCIN (Forum of Spokespersons of Critical Institutions in Niger State), which we established to engender synergy and coordination in managing security information in the state; and the introduction of a special magazine (POWER STATE) which profiled the work and administration of Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello. We also introduced a media monitoring project to ensure adequate feedback to assist the people-related policies of His Excellency. In all instances, we employed the best tactics in media engagement and conduct.

Read Also:

  • Tinubu Vows Tech-Driven Development, Food Security, Urges Diaspora Participation
  • FG, Nigerian Army Partner to Tackle Proliferation of Small Arms
  • FG to Spend N750bn on Pension Bond, Expands Free Medical Services for Civil Servants

Small wonder, our efforts were commended by national and international organisations. In recognition of our creative and innovative disposition, I won the Outstanding Chief Press Secretary Award by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), FCT Chapter for my extraordinary role in promoting ideals of public relations in Nigeria, as well as the African Public Relations Certificate of Excellence Award for my outstanding accomplishments in managing security information in Niger state through the formation and activities of FOSCIN.

This period which I considered as a ‘Command Appointment’ is one of the defining moments in my career as a journalist and PR practitioner – very exciting, momentous and eventful. It offered me first-hand opportunity to know more about democracy and democrats, politics and politicians, traditional institution and traditional rulers, journalists and journalism, traditional media and new media/social media insurgents, information and disinformation, sabotage and saboteurs, bootlicking and bootlickers, public relations and Public Relations Practitioners, public servants and public service, eye servants and eye service, election and electorate, government and governance, leadership and followership, power and power play, power and corridor of power, detraction and detractors, political appointees and political service, loyalty and loyalists, lobbying and lobbyists, youth and politics, women and politics, activists and activism, unionists and unionism, fake news and fake folks, … must I go on?

I served, bearing in mind that like all those who served before me, there would be different verdicts of my stewardship, fully aware that as Albert Einstein famously noted: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything”. I also realised that as the first African-American 4-Star General, Collin Powel, said, “Command is Lonely ….” I, therefore, take responsibility for all decisions I took as the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello from November 2015 to May 2019.

As I reflect on my momentous years as the CPS to a man I call the master of Blusukan, I give thanks to Almighty Allah in whose hands my destiny lies.

I thank Governor Sani-Bello most profoundly for giving me the opportunity to serve the state at this critical time. My work was made easier due to his exceptional personality and disposition as he never stopped believing in my judgment, counsel and professionalism.

As I return to base, I reflect on the preface of one of my publications thus: “The joy of leaving and the pain of having to leave”; the joy of leaving those who wanted me to leave and the pain of leaving genuine friends and colleagues.

As I bow out as the 14th Chief Press Secretary to the 14th and 5th elected governor of Niger state, I reflect on General Stanley McChrsytal’s thought on Leaders in his memoirs, ‘My Share of the Task’: “Leaders are not necessarily popular, because the choice between popularity and effectiveness is ultimately no choice at all; leaders walk a fine line between self-confidence & humility. All leaders are human. They carry the same range of emotions and frailties common to mankind.”

I remain committed to the service of the people as my zeal to serve is resolute.

I leave with firm conviction that as Lawrence Freedman posited: ‘Everyone needs a strategy…”

I thank all those who were part of my voyage on the (River) Niger. Mungo Park must be acknowledging me in his grave: his was a voyage of discovery; mine was a voyage of service!

Jibrin Baba Ndace,
Former Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State Governor.

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • My voyage on the (River) Niger
Previous articleBill Gates Speak to Ganduje on Healthcare in Kano
Next articleAfrica’s Spymasters Declare Social Media a Security Threat, Exploited by Subversive Elements
Jibrin Baba Ndace
Jibrin Baba Ndace
http://www.PRNigeria.com

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Colonel (rtd) Muhammad Mana

Tribute to Colonel Mohammed Mana: An Officer & Gentleman ​By Sani Usman Kukasheka

Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

CG Custom Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Zacch Adedeji

Is Zacch Adedeji Building Bridges for Nigeria’s Revenue Future? By Yushau A. Shuaib

Army soldiers security

Mattress of Terror: Can Nigeria Ever Be Truly Secure? By Haroon Aremu Abiodun

The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

Ribadu and the fall of Ansaru By Senator Iroegbu

Fixing the Fault Lines in Nigeria’s Culture of Recognition, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

How Desperation Turns Nigerian Job Seekers Into Scam Targets By Tahir Ahmad

Festus Keyamo Aviation Minister

Rebuilding Trust in Nigeria’s Aviation Through Crisis Communication, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Citizen’s Diary: The message from the South-East to President Tinubu, by Fredrick Nwabufo

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB

IBB: The Golden Touch at 84 – By Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris

Ribadu’s Quiet Revolution By Jude Obioha

INEC

Looming Peril Ahead of 2027: Why Nigeria Must Act Now, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • Tinubu Vows Tech-Driven Development, Food Security, Urges Diaspora Participation
  • FG, Nigerian Army Partner to Tackle Proliferation of Small Arms
  • FG to Spend N750bn on Pension Bond, Expands Free Medical Services for Civil Servants
  • Troops Repel Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack, Eliminate Scores in Borno
  • Tribute to Colonel Mohammed Mana: An Officer & Gentleman ​By Sani Usman Kukasheka
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Tinubu Vows Tech-Driven Development, Food Security, Urges Diaspora ParticipationFG, Nigerian Army Partner to Tackle Proliferation of Small ArmsFG to Spend N750bn on Pension Bond, Expands Free Medical Services for Civil ServantsTroops Repel Boko Haram/ISWAP Attack, Eliminate Scores in BornoTribute to Colonel Mohammed Mana: An Officer & Gentleman ​By Sani Usman KukashekaYouth Group Launches Digital Hub to Counter Violent ExtremismVoice of Nigeria Restores TX2 Shortwave Antenna to Global ServiceASUU Warns of Fresh Strike Over Unfulfilled 2009 AgreementAnambra Police Bust Robbery Syndicate, Recover Phones, TricyclesEFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of N246m Shares Ex-Army GeneralNAF Begins DSSC Recruitment for 2025, Reiterates Commitment to TransparencyPolice Foil Bandits Attack in Benue, Arrest Couple, Nurse Over Sale of Newborn in EnuguTroops Foil Multiple Kidnap Attempts, Rescue 14 Abducted Victims in KatsinaDozens of Boko Haram Terrorists Killed as Military Foils Attacks in Borno, YobeNRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After Derailment
X whatsapp