Gen Kukasheka, Unilorin Don, Others Appointed Spokesperson’s Digest Board Members, Columnists

Gen Kukasheka, Unilorin Don, Others Appointed Spokesperson’s Digest Board Members, Columnists

The Image Merchants Promotion (IMPR) Limited has named a seasoned crisis manager, prolific communication scholars and public relations gurus as members of the Advisory Board for its Spokesperson’s Digest.

IMPR, the publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential also publishes Spokesperson’s Digest, a journal of communication and public relations in Nigeria

The Advisory Board members will advise and support the editorial team, while also contributing regular articles to the publication as columnists.

The advisory members include a former spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, retired Brigadier General Sani Usman Kukasheka who will write “Managing Crisis” column; a Communication Scholar at the University of Ilorin, Dr. Saudat Abdulbaqi will pen ‘Communication Skills’ column and renowned strategic communicator, Dr. Arthur-Martins Aginam will write under ‘Strategic Conversation’ column.

Others are an award winning communication author, Ishola N. Ayodele, who will write under the banner of “PR Sense”; while PR writer, Maryam Na’Allah will publish weekly articles on “Public Relations Tips.”

Speaking on the appointment, the chairman of IMPR, Dr. Sule Yau Sule said the management painstakingly and meticulously selected the members of the Advidory board based on their track record and their contributions in the field of communication and Public Relations.

“It is our belief that they would add value to our chain of publications and attract more readership. We shall continue to improve on our services to match with the existing reality and best practices in the field of Public Relations. I say congratulations to you all,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abdulsalam Mahmud, the Deputy Editor of PRNigeria will double as Editorial Coordinator of the Spokesperson’s Digest, to be assisted by Kabir Abdulsalam, a Senior Correspondent with PRNigeria.

Below is the profile of the Advisory Board Members
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Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), who will chair the Advisory Board is the Consultant Director, Corporate Affairs and Information at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre NARC, Abuja. He was the Director of Army Public Relations and spokesman for the Nigerian Army from 2015 to 2018.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and a Master of Arts degree in Media, Peace and Conflict Studies from Bayero University Kano and the United Nations Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE), San Jose, Costa Rica, respectively.

He also attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, as a member of Senior Executive Course 40, 2018.

A prolific writer and resourceful person, he is a member of the National Institute (mni), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (fnipr) and member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Fellow African Public Relations Association (fapra), and Fellow, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (fnarc).

A recipent of Spokespersons Communication Award (SCA) on Crisis Communication, he also holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Kanwan Katsina.

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Dr. Saudat Salah AbdulBaqi is a Senior Communication lecturer at the University of Ilorin and the Chairperson of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Kwara State Chapter.

She obtained Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and PhD from Bayero University Kano (BUK), University of Lagos and Universiti Utara Malaysia, respectively.

With extensive experience in teaching, research, and administrative roles, her leadership qualities shine brightly, evident during her tenure as the Ag. Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at Kwara State University and Summit University, where she shares her expertise beyond her home institution.

She is a Fellow of NIPR.

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Dr. Arthur-Martins Aginam is a Nigerian (Abuja-based) Communications, Democratic Governance and Peace-building specialist.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Strategic and Political Communication from University of Leeds, England (on British Chevening Scholarship) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Global Communications and Development from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where he also taught for 7 years before returning to Nigeria in 2014.

He had worked in the 90s as a Public Affairs journalist and Deputy Features Editor in the now rested National Concord Newspaper.

Between September 2014 and January 2018, he was the Executive Director of The Kukah Centre, an Abuja-based policy and governance institute and doubled as the pioneer Head of Secretariat of the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee which played a pivotal role in the largely peaceful outcome of the 2015 general elections that many respected pundits predicted would lead to the implosion of Nigeria.

A well-rounded professional with extensive academic and practical knowledge of the critical interface between communication, democratic governance and development, his primary areas of expertise include: Strategic, Public Affairs & Political Communication; Branding and Reputation Management (especially for Public Sector and non-profit Organizations)

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Maryam Na-Allah Umar-Baba is a staff writer at Spokesperson’s Digest. She is a budding PR professional with a promising future ahead. With less than three years of experience in the dynamic field of public relations, Maryam has already exhibited remarkable promise and unwavering dedication in her role.

Maryam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Communication Cultures and a Masters degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communication, both of which were earned at Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom. Her commitment to excellence is evident through her certification in Strategic Brand Management from the London School of Business.

She is also an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the UK Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

As a PR professional, Maryam has penned attention-catching articles, including notable pieces such as “Nigerian Students In Diaspora: What They Don’t Tell You” and “Northern PR Stars” among others.

Her role as an International Student Ambassador at Leeds Beckett University further illustrates her dedication to providing outstanding customer service to students. Her efforts in enrolling new students and championing student welfare through various campaigns highlight her commitment to making a meaningful difference.

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Ishola Nasirudeen Ayodele, a seasoned communication strategist with over two decades of experience, excels in ‘Message Engineering.’

With Advance Diploma from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and
Masters in communication studies from Lagos State University, Ayodele has proficiencies in Strategic communication, Crisis Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management.

He empowers clients to navigate crises, elevate communication, and manage change.

Ayodele, an author of books on PR, initiated the School of Impactful Communication and chairs the Board of Directors at Paragon of Excellence Group of Schools.

He earned the Most Inspiring/Outstanding PR Influencer of the Year Award at the LaPRIGA in 2019 and received special recognition from President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2020, he also won the prestigious Spokespersons Communication Award (SCA) for PR Scholar/Author Award.

By PRNigeria