A former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Bayelsa State, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, was on Tuesday awarded a Ph.D in Public Relations at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State.
Speaking with newsmen after his conferment, Iworiso- Markson noted that his latest academic feat will impel him to mentor interested individuals seeking a career in media, political communications, and public relations.
He revealed that this was his focus when he enrolled for his doctorate degree program at the institution after leaving office in 2020.
Iworiso-Markson said his new academic achievement has added to his capacity as a thoroughbred professional with an enviable work experience that spans over 30 years of consistent communications practice in journalism, advertising, public relations, events and branding.
He added that the PhD degree has also reinforced his desire to use his industry experience to mentor practicing and aspiring media advisors, information officers, and others within the communication value chain.
According to him, one of the greatest challenges bedevilling public office holders is the kind of media aides they hire as evident in most of the gaffes in their policy and press statements.
He explained that as image makers, media aides and advisors occupy very critical positions and must get on the job with the required competence obtained from hands-on training by experts.
Iworiso-Markson restated that alongside other renowned professionals from within and outside the country, he will be organizing periodic masterclasses to guide and provide basic knowledge on all-round strategic media engagement.
“I have always had the desire to share my knowledge and experiences in the media industry with upcoming and prospective practitioners, but this is the right time to do so.
“In 2020, after serving my beloved state, first as Chief Press Secretary to then Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and later as Commissioner for Information and Orientation, I decided to go back to school to equip myself in my core field.
“Today, and to the glory of God, I have been certified with a doctorate degree in Public Relations. This might be a modest feat considering the number of PhD holders out there, but the focus of it is what matters to me.
“I will be launching a media center in the near future to embark on a whole range of tasks including political communication,
articulation and execution of policy, determination of editorial direction, crisis management, media management, communications, and team management, among others.
“Social media communications will be a core of my masterclasses. This is because of the importance of that medium of information dissemination.
“A lot of people, organizations, and governments are trying to develop strategies and execute various activities in the management of media relations, but sadly, most of them are doing it the wrong way,” he said.
He further explained that his commitment to raise a new legion of competent media and communications professionals is the gist behind his latest degree.
“I will be collaborating with other renowned resource persons within and outside the country to make this happen,” he said.
