The Federal Government has urged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to help to subjugate quakery in the profession, and institute effectiveness and efficiency at the workplace to boost national image and development.
During the formal inauguration of of the Governing Board of the NIPR, led by its President and Council Chairman, Dr. Ike Neliaku, in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi tasked the team, which was elected last August, “to go deeper to professionalise the Institute and act within the provisions of the enabling laws to end quackery in the profession.
“This is important because the activities of quacks and unlicensed practitioners in all sectors affect the reputation of the country, negatively. Let us build the legacy of sound reputation for Nigeria and open the doors of socio-economic opportunities for our nation”, the Minister said before decorating the governing council members.
Elimination of quakery is at the heart of the Neliaku administration, and this seems to have reached an a worrisome height with the Federal Government beaming its light in this regard.
The Minister also said: “This inauguration would have taken place earlier than now. but as you may recall, the election took place about the same time I took over the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
“Settling down to the duties of my office became a matter that needed full concentration. This explains the delay in performing this statutory function of the Minister of Information. It was not intentional, but exigencies of office.
“What we are doing today is in line with the provisions of the Act, CAP N114, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that established the Institute as the nation’s only professional body charged with the responsibility to regulate the practice and development of public relations in both private and public sectors in Nigeria.
“Permit me therefore, to express my profound gratitude to the founding fathers of the Institute for their foresight and initiative of birthing the idea 60 years ago, and more importantly, their effort in elevating it to an enviable chartered status, which places the NIPR among the very few professional bodies in the world with such level of government recognition.
“Reputation is one of the key pillars in nation building and plays strategic roles in development of any nation. Part of the challenges of our nation today is what could be termed ‘reputation deficit’ caused by wrong perception of Nigeria at the global arena.
“This is a sad phenomenon and as professionals, we must find practical public relations solutions to reclaim our damaged reputational asset. Other nations have their difficulties, but the difference is in the management of the issues, which is usually done through a robust partnership between government, professional groups like the NIPR and the general citizens.
“As a professional and a Fellow of the Institute, I fully understand the importance of reputation and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is determined to partner with the NIPR to redesign communication strategy that will drive the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration towards enhanced national reputation and development.
“I must say that I am impressed with the initiatives and programmes of the current Council led by Dr. Ike Neliaku, as contained in a document presented to me earlier before this event. I firmly believe that if well implemented, they have potentials of transforming both the Institute and the country into a global reputational hub.
“To all Nigerians, may I use this medium to assure that the Federal Government is strongly committed to ensuring a greater and better Nigeria for all citizens”.
Some members of the Governing Council sworn in included Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura (Vice President), Prof. Kate Omenugha, Dr Sule Ya’u Sule; Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd.), Mr. Temitope Adaramola, Mrs. Thelma Chika Okoh, Mr. Lanre Bajulaiye, Prof. Sarah Benjamin Lwahas, Hajia Maryam Mohammed Sanusi; Prince Ford Obi; Dr. Saudat Abdulbaqi and Hon. Ini Ememobong.
The Governing Council also inducted and certified special members. They included the Chief of Administrations Army Headquarters, Major General Jimmy Akpor. He had served as Defence Media Operations spokespersman. Others were Senior Special Assistant (Print Media) to the President, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz; Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Senate President, Rt Hon Eseme Eyibo; and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Ismail Mudashir.
Other inductees at the occasion included communications specialists, diplomats and politicians and editors.
Some of them included Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, Mr. Olufemi Soneye; Senior Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Afonne; a former spokesperson of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metu; and Communications Adviser to the President of ECOWAS, Linda Akhigbe Nwabunwa.
Last October, the NIPR Governing Council set up 35-man taskforce, known as NIPR Act Enforcement and Compliance Committee, headed by Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.) with a mandate to fish out individuals and body corporates who violate the law by performing Public Relations roles without registration and licence from the regulating body.
The committee also has the responsibility to arraign the culprits before a tribunal set up by the Federal Ministry of Justice if they fail to regularise and get duly registered, accredited and licenced to practice by the end of March 2024.
Strongly worded letters have been sent to all agencies of government, private sector and organised private sectors, including the universities, armed forces, paramilitary organizations, ministries and departments.
