***Inaugurates Dr. Neliaku as 15th President of Institute
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Minister of Information and National Orientation Alhaji Idris Mohammed Malagi has tasked the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to go deeper to professionalize the Institute and act within the provisions of the enabling laws to end quackery in the profession.
He also charged the Council to amongst others promote professionalism and excellence amongst members of the Institute, pointing out that this is important because the activities of quacks in all sectors affect the reputation of the country, negatively.
Speaking on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Institute Governing Council which was elected on August 25, 2023, and Induction of New Members of NIPR held in Abuja, Malagi also called on the Institute to join hands with the federal government to build the legacy of sound reputation for Nigeria and open the doors of socio-economic opportunities for our nation.
According to the Minister the inauguration would have taken place earlier than now but the election took place about the same time he took over the leadership of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, pointing out that “settling down to the duties of my office became a matter that needed full concentration”.
He said this explained the delay in performing his statutory function as the Minister of Information to inaugurate the Governing Council earlier on.
“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”, Malagi said.
The Minister also expressed his 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.
Said he: “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. Yes, current economic reality may be discomforting; it is a temporary pain that will eventually lead to sustainable gains and development. Let us support leaderships across board and promote the nation’s core values of patriotism, integrity, hard work, love, unity, professionalism, culture of excellence, among others”.
Speaking further, the Minister said: “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 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”.
“It is now my honour and pleasure to inaugurate the 2023-2025 Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. As members of Council, I charge you to:
i. promote professionalism and excellence amongst members of the Institute;
ii. partner with the governments at federal, state and local levels to contribute to the growth and development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
iii. use the very rich body of knowledge in the Institute to create and come up with relevant programmes and activities to promote the understanding of the 8 point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration; and
iv. deepen the penetration of public relations practice in critical sectors of Nigeria to deliver value and enhance it relevance;
v. deploy your expertise in building the reputational capital of Nigeria, to be domestically relevant and globally competitive;
vi. harvest, enable and teach young Nigerians to believe and renew hope in the country, and channel their energies and talents to promote the best interest of the nation; and
vii. to ensure that the practice of public relations in Nigeria is in line with provisions of the law that established it”. READ ALSO:
- Varsity generates N1.6bn in 10 months
- Police Commission approves promotion of 11 CPs, 16 DCPs
- Tinubu appoints 8 new permanent secretaries
- BREAKING: Lookman Wins 2024 CAF Men’s Player Of The Year
- CAF Awards 2024: Nnadozie Scoops Goalkeeper Of The Year
Malagi later invited the Immediate Past President of the Institute, Malam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, fnipr and the President of African Public Relations Association, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, fnipr to join him to formally decorate the 15th President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr after which the Registrar of the Institute Induction Chief Uzoma Onyegbado performed the Induction of Members.
Earlier in his speech, the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Nelieaku, fnipr praised the Minister for his passion for NIPR and readiness to work with the Institute even as he thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for key appointments he handed to several members of the Institute, promising that NIPR will work also extend its hands of fellowship to his administration.
He also enumerated the many programmes lined up by the Institute to execute during his administration as the NIPR President.
