The federal government has urged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to help to subjugate quakery in the professions as a way of instituting effectiveness and efficiency at the workplace for the overall boost in national image and development.
This charge was handed down on Tuesday in Abuja during the formal inauguration of Dr Ike Neliaku fnipr, as president and Chairman of Council of NIPR and his colleagues by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi fnipr
“Now, to the Governing Council that I am about to inaugurate, I task you to go deeper to professionalize 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.”
The Institute has after the inauguration of its Governing Council inducted and certified special members. The special inductees who have met relevant professional qualifications and experiences included Major General Jimmy Akpor, the Chief of Administrations Army Headquarters who was a former Defence Media Operations Spokespersman; Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Assistant (Print Media) to President Bola Tinubu; Rt Hon Eseme Eyibo, Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Senate President and Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President
Other inductees at the occasion included communications specialists, diplomats and politicians and editors.
Some of them include chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Olufemi Soneye; senior editor with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Emmanuel Afonne; a former spokesperson of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Metu Olisa; and communications Adviser to the President of ECOWAS, Akhigbe Linda Nwabunwa among others.
The Governing Council under the leadership of Dr Ike Neliaku had in October 2023, set up 35-Man taskforce known as NIPR Act Enforcement and Compliance Committee headed by Major General Chris Olukolade retired with a mandate to fish out individuals and body corporates who go against the law by performing public relations roles without registration and license from the PR regulating body, and to arraign them before a tribunal set up by the ministry of justice if they fail to regularize and get duly registered, accredited and licensed to practice by the end of March 2024. Strongly worded letters have been sent to all agencies of government, private sector and organized private sectors – including the universities, armed forces, paramilitary organizations, ministries and departments.
Some members of the Governing Council include Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, Vice President; Professor Kate Omenugha, Vice Chancellor Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University (formerly Anambra State University); Dr Sule Ya’u Sule; Brigadier General SK Usman rtd; Adaramola Temitope; Thelma Chika Okoh, Lanre Bajulaiye, Prof Sarah Benjamin Lwahas; Hajia Maryam Mohammed Sanusi; Hon (Prince) Ford Ozumba; Dr Saudat Abdulbaqi; Hon (Barr) Ini Ememobong among others
Dr Igwe Hosea Chibueze
Secretary
NIPR Act Enforcement and Compliance Committee
