President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, has described Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, spokesperson to former of Kano State Governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, as a thoroughbred professional and a guru in the Nigerian public relations palace.
Dr. Neliaku made the remarks at a special dinner organized by the Director General of Media and Publicity Kano State Government House, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, to mark the 60th birthday of Ya’u in Kano.
Joined by members of the NIPR Council, the President extolled Dr. Ya’u’s significant contributions to reputation and crisis management in Nigeria, and praised his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the institute.
Dr. Neliaku noted Dr. Ya’u’s dedication to responsibility, attention to detail, and strong passion for delivering results. He applauded the NIPR Senior Fellow and council member for his longstanding mentorship of the younger generation, especially in Northern Nigeria.
The 15th President and Chairman in Council of NIPR, highlighted several of Dr. Ya’u’s contributions to the institute’s development, especially acknowledged Dr. Ya’u’s leadership in the Northwest region, which pioneered the organization of the Institute’s Citizens Summit for National Integration in 2021.
The NIPR Council felicitated with Dr. Ya’u on his 60th birthday, wishing him good health and wisdom to continue building the next generation and contributing to Nigeria’s national image.
In his remarks, the chief host Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa said the dinner was organized to recognize the celebrant’s consistent contributions to the development of young professionals.
Dawakin-Tofa described Dr. Ya’u as a guiding light and dependable source of inspiration, whose professional mentorship continues to shape public relations practitioners in Kano and beyond.
In response, Dr. Ya’u expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the NIPR President and Council members for their kind words and support on the occasion of his 60th birthday. He pledged to rededicate himself to further service to the institute.
Although he revealed an intention to reduce general engagements at 60, Dr. Ya’u admitted he already has renewed plans to remain active, driven by his enduring passion of NIPR President for impression and reputation management in the country.
Dr. Ya’u spent 11 years in the corridors of power, having served as spokesperson to both the military administration of Brigadier General Dominic Oneya and later to Governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau during his two consecutive terms.
He has since returned to academia and currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Image Merchants Promotion Limited.
