No fewer than 327 people have been admitted as members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), one of the highest in the institute’s history.
Persecondnews reports that the inductees comprise 250 regular with Mass Communication and Journalism backgrounds, while 77 joined the induction after days of intensive training referred to as master class.
Addressing the new members of the Institute in a hybrid event in Abuja on Friday, the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said the profession of Public Relations is fast taking centre stage in nation-building, urging new members to contribute in helping to rebuild the country’s image.
According to him, the Institute is determined to build a sustainable and globally competitive reputation for Nigeria, noting that the recent establishment of Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), headed by Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Wale Adeniyi, was one of the measures towards improving the reputation of the nation.
Neliaku said: “The reality is that when reputation is in tatters, a nation can only be in shambles. I must make it clear that it is only the public relations that is fully equipped with the appropriate body of knowledge to properly manage the reputation of Nigeria.
“However, we recognise the need to work in partnership with government and private sectors to reshape the reputation of Nigeria.
“The Institute is collaborating with the government to pursue the REBIRTH Nigeria programme, an acronym for Reinvent, Essence, Beauty, Integrity, Resourcefulness, Tradition and Heritage.”
On those masquerading as public relations practitioners under any guise without licence, Neliaku said that the grace time is running out as the Institute’s deadline for compliance and enforcement remains January 1, 2024.
He noted that effective from January, enforcement and compliance committee headed by retired Gen. Chris Olukolade will launch a clampdown on quacks nationwide who are dragging the name and reputation of the Institute through the mire.
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