Public Relations: NIPR to crack down on quacks

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has announced that it will begin a crackdown on quacks who have infiltrated the public relations profession from April 1, 2024.

The institute said this in a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations, Stanley Ogadigo in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to Ogadigo, the decision was taken by the governing council of the NIPR at its 106th meeting.

He said the institute had given a grace period of three months, from January 1 to March 31, 2024, for public enlightenment and awareness before the full enforcement of the directive.

The Director explained that the grace period was meant for those who had been appointed as Public Relations Officers (PROs) in various organisations to regularise their membership with the NIPR.

He warned that from April 1, 2024, no organisation, whether government or private, would be allowed to use unqualified persons (non-members of NIPR) as PROs.

“The grace period is for those already appointed as Public Relations Officers (PROs) in various places to see it as an opportunity to conclude their membership with us,” Ogadigo said.

He said the NIPR was determined to enforce strict compliance of professionalism and excellence in public relations practice in Nigeria.

Ogadigo urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the institute in its efforts to sanitise the profession and protect the public interest.