The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has inducted 327 into its membership, a figure quoted to be one of the highest in Institute’s recent history.
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, President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku noted that the profession of Public Relations is fast taking centre stage in nation-building, urging new members to contribute in helping to reshape the country’s reputation.
He said that 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, Wale Adeniyi was one of the measures towards improving reputation of the nation.
“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” he said.
He said that the Institute is collaborating with the government to pursue the REBIRTH Nigeria programme, an acronym for reinvent, essence, beauty, integrity, resourcefulness, tradition and heritage and called on all patriotic Nigerians to join forces with the Institute to carry out the assignment he described as important.
On those masquerading as public relations practitioners under any guise, without licensing, Neliaku said that the grace time is running out, as the Institute’s deadline for compliance and enforcement remains 1st January, 2024.
He said that effective January, enforcement and compliance committee headed by Gen. Chris Olukolade (Rtd) will launch a clampdowm on quarks that are dragging the Institute to a state of disrepute.
