Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris has urged Public Relationships Practitioners to prioritise the responsibility of strengthening national unity, promoting national value to enhance national development.
Idris made the call at the 35th Anniversary Conference of the NIPR FCT Chapter with the theme: “Leadership for Inclusive Development and National Branding”;
The Minister, represented by the Director General Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, said; “public relations is key to nation building, hence there is need for renewed commitments to service to building a nation every Nigerian deserves.”
“The mandate of the ministry aligns deeply with the value of the NIPR. Public Relations Practitioners have a vital responsibility in shaping national unity and national progress.
“At this time, in our national journey, NIPR practitioners must rally around the flag and demonstrate unwavering commitment to strengthening our unity, promoting national value and advancing national development.
This is the moment to uphold the true essence of our profession in service of this country, “he explained.
The Information Minister further reiterated commitment to support all the activities of the Institute to position Nigeria in the image it ought to be on the global scene.
“As the Minister of Information and National Orientation, through the platform of Voice of Nigeria, News Agency of Nigeria and other platforms, will continue to support what the NIPR is doing.
As we commemorate 35 years of excellence, may this anniversary inspire renewed dedication to strengthen the profession, raising ethical standards and using strategic communication as a powerful tool for national progress,” Idris said.
The President Nigerian Institute of Public Relation, (NIPR,) Dr. Ike Neliaku, while lamenting on the challenges faced by Nigeria, highlighted that “the issues have become a very serious one for every Nigerian and not just the government, as he called on every Nigerian citizen to collaborate in finding solutions to the challenges.”
Reputation is national assets
Neliaku stressed that reputation is national assets that must be embraced by all leaders and Nigerians.
“We are going to have a time and a season, a season, not just once, a sustainable season when we will have leaders that will give Nigeria what Nigeria deserves.
“And that is when you will see the rising of the potentials of Nigerians become reality. Unless our leaders begin to realise that you can never rise above your reputation, because when it comes to discussion, where policy issues are discussed, it is who you are when you are not present that determines how you are rated in your absence. And that’s where reputation comes in.
“Reputation is who people say you are when you are not there. How they rate you over a period of time. But because we have taken it for granted, that’s why we are having some of the issues we are having today.It is time for us to teach our young people, for them to know that the reputation of this country is more important than every individual. And who are those that can do this for us? The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. We are the reputation builders.
“We are the reputation builders. And that’s why we have set up the Nigeria Reputation Management Group to help to manage the reputation gate of Federal Republic of Nigeria,”the Minister explained
Also speaking, the Governor Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, said the 35th anniversary celebrations is a moment to reflect and strategies on best to position Nigeria for sustainable development and to the global community.
Madawaki said; “Indeed, 35 Years is a long journey that calls for stock-taking and reflections especially to an organisation that has done so much and so well in shaping and sustaining the observance of high standards of professional and ethical practice in Public relations across both public and private sectors of our national life.
“This is in addition to the choice of the theme of the conference which aptly speaks volume of how strategic the institute is, towards fine tuning leaders’ emotional intelligence for inclusive development and nation branding.
“It is therefore my sincere hope and expectation that you will remain a good citadel of learning and a mirror that will continue to shape and sustain public relations across organisations in line with global best practices,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of FCT Chapter of the NIPR, Mr Stanley Ogadigo the chapter remains committed and dedicated to issues of national importance, and community services as a way of giving back to the society.
He further commended the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Lami Tumaka, for successful and effective mobilisation and the pioneer chairman of the Chapter, Mr Mike Okereke, for his leadership and the foundation he laid for the chapter years ago.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relation, FCT Chapter, was created in June, 1990.
Lateefah Ibrahim