The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called on the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to promote professionalism and checkmate quacks in all sectors.
Idris gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja while inaugurating the Governing Council of NIPR and the induction of 24 members.
“Promoting professionalism in the Public Relations profession will allow for socio-economic opportunities and development of the nation,” he said.
According to him, the activities of NIPR are in line with the provisions of Act, CAP N114, Laws of the country that established the Institute as the nation’s professional body responsible for regulating the practice and development of Public Relations.
“It is the only professional body responsible for regulating the practice and development of public relations in both private and public sectors in Nigeria.
“Reputation is one of the key pillars in nation building and it plays strategic roles in the 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.
“My ministry is determined to partner with the NIPR to design communication strategies with renewed hope, in line with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“I therefore charge you 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 in all sectors affect the reputation of the country negatively,” Idris said.
The minister urged the institute to build a legacy of sound reputation for the country to open the doors of socio-economic opportunities.
He commended the founding fathers of the institute for their foresight and initiative in establishing the institute 60 years ago, adding that their efforts in elevating it to an enviable chartered status was commendable.
“And 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, the current economic reality is not without its challenges but I can also boldly say that embedded inside the tough and radical economic reforms of Tinubu are the seeds of the sustainable prosperity and development that Nigeria deserves.
“It may take some time and patience but I have no doubt that we will see and enjoy the benefits of these sacrifices in due course.
“Let us strive to support the leadership across board and promote the nation’s core values of patriotism, integrity, hard work, love, unity, professionalism, culture of excellence, among others,” Idris said.
He explained that the present administration has recorded appreciable successes in some key areas of the economy within the short period in office.
Idris added that the Federal Government remained committed to comprehensive reforms that would change the nation’s development narrative for good.
“As a responsible government, we are deeply concerned about improving the welfare of Nigerians. We are also very concerned about the perception of our country by the international community.
“We would like to call on all Nigerians to be conscious of all actions and activities within and outside the shores of the country that might portray the country in bad light,” he added.
Similarly, President of the Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for promoting the institute with the appointment of its member (Idris) as a Minister, adding that the institution would never forget the gesture.
President of African Public Relation Association, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okuanya, lauded the institute and urged it to do more in expanding its frontiers.
One of the inductees, Mr Emmanuel Afonne, a Senior Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed his gratitude to the institute for the induction ceremony.
“It is a privilege being a member of NIPR and what that means is that we are now in the forefront of delivering information on government activities and functions in a positive and objective manner.
“In the era of fake news, it is the duty of a Public Relations Officer to give the information from the right perspective; that is the essence of public relations,”Afonne said.
Dignitaries at the event include the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali Mohammed Ali; Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mr Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General of National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, among others from the military, para-military and ministries.
NAN reports that the high points of the event was the decoration of the President of the Institute by Idris and the induction of the 24 new members. (NAN)