The governor of Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Umaru Fintiri has joined the list of prominent personalities across the world to be decorated as World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) Ambassador, earning the rights and privileges of Global Alliance to represent it and mobilise participation for the Forum which takes place 15th — 22nd November, 2026.
He was decorated in Yola, the state capital during the 38th Sam Epelle Gold Paper Lecture, an annual memorial gathering in honour of the first President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Sam Epelle.
The colourful event which had in attendance top political office holders, prominent traditional rulers and senior public relations professionals from across the region also featured the investiture of Gov. Fintiri as Patron of the NIPR, making him one of the few governors in the country to bag the prestigious honour exclusively reserved for state chief executives, in line with the Institute's Act.
Performing the decoration on behalf of the President/CEO Global Alliance, Prof. Justin Green, a Board Member and President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku commended the governor for the transformational leadership he has brought to fore in the past seven years.
He particularly thanked the governor for the huge investment in quality infrastructure across the state that has continued to impact livelihood, improve economy and raise living standards among indigenes and residents. "Your Excellency, you have laid the infrastructure, the groundwork has been done. It is now time to let, not just Nigeria, but the world to know that there is a state whose story has not been told", he stated.
The governor in his response commended the Institute for its role in building a competitive national narrative around the country's reputation before the global community, applauding the inclusion of states in the nation's reputation agenda.
He also commended the Global Alliance for the confidence reposed in him to serve as WPRF Ambassador, assuring to make judicious use of the platform to contribute towards the success of the Forum expected to have over 3,000 delegates from across the world.