The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for its role in the designation of Public Relations as a cadre in the civil service.

Idris gave the commendation when the President of NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku and the President of Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Justin Green, visited him in Abuja.

The visit was to show appreciation to the minister for his support towards the successful hosting of activities for the 60th anniversary of the NIPR, which held between June 20 and June 27.

The Minister said that the Federal Government would continue to provide the needed support for Public Relations practice in Nigeria.

“Nigeria was, for the longest time, the only country in Africa that had a law that professionalised public relations.

“It was Nigeria that started it on the continent, and only last year did the Republic of Zambia come out with its own law.

“So now we have two countries on the continent, and only now in Kenya; the bill for professionalising public relations is at the second reading in Parliament,” Idris said.

According to the minister, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the NIPR and Global Alliance for the establishment of a degree-awarding institution for Public Relations and Leadership in Nigeria is a welcome development.

He also commended the recent emergence of Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, a Fellow of the NIPR, FCT Chapter, as the Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA