Samuel Ayetutu Takes Over as Lagos NIPR Chairman as Comfort Nwankwo Joins National Council
The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has witnessed a leadership transition as Dr. Samuel Ayetutu formally assumed office as the Chapter Chairman following the election of Mrs. Comfort Obot Nwankwo to the national governing council of the Institute.
The change of baton was officially sealed on Wednesday during the Chapter’s first monthly meeting after the NIPR Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last month in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Mrs. Nwankwo, who now serves on the NIPR national council, expressed gratitude to members for their support during her tenure as chairman, describing her time in office as a period of growth and collective progress for the chapter.
She remains part of the Lagos executive council as Ex-Officio and has also taken on the role of Internal Auditor in line with the NIPR Chapter’s administration amended Bye Law of 2024.
For Dr. Ayetutu, the occasion marked a double celebration. Just hours before assuming the leadership of the Chapter, he successfully defended his PhD thesis in Mass Communication at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo — a personal milestone he said symbolized a new chapter both academically and professionally.
In his inaugural address, the new Chairman called for unity among members, emphasizing the need to strengthen the relevance of public relations in both public discourse and policy implementation in Lagos State.
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“We must close ranks and work as one united front to ensure that public relations occupies its rightful place in governance, corporate leadership, and society at large,” Ayetutu told members shortly after his swearing-in.
A communication strategist with over 24 years of professional experience, Ayetutu’s career spans journalism, government public affairs, and integrated marketing communications.
He began his career as a sub-editor with the now-defunct Daily News before joining the Lagos State civil service in 2000 as a Public Affairs Officer.
Over the years, he held strategic communication positions across various ministries and government agencies, including the Lagos State Health Management Board, Ministry of Women Affairs, Lagos Lands Bureau, and Public Works Corporation.
He also briefly lectured at Lagos State Polytechnic, teaching courses in public relations, advertising, and news writing.
Ayetutu, a fellow of both the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), holds multiple academic qualifications, including diplomas from Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), a master’s degree from Lagos State University, and a doctoral degree from Babcock University.
Outside his professional career, Ayetutu is deeply involved in humanitarian service through Rotary International, where he has served in several leadership capacities. He is listed among the future District Governors of Rotary International District 9111, Nigeria.
Dr. Ayetutu will serve the remainder of the current executive council’s tenure, which ends on August 14, 2025, when new elections will be conducted.
Also elected into the NIPR national council alongside Mrs. Nwankwo is Mr. Olusegun McMedal, another prominent member of the Lagos chapter.
By PRNigeria
