FG urges NIPR to eradicate public relations quacks 

The federal government has urged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to help to subjugate quakery in the professions as a way of instituting effectiveness and efficiency at the workplace for the overall boost in national image and development.

This charge was handed down on Tuesday in Abuja during the formal inauguration of Dr Ike Neliaku, as president and Chairman of Council of NIPR and his colleagues by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi.

“Now, to the Governing Council that I am about to inaugurate, I task you to go deeper to professionalize 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. Let us build the legacy of sound reputation for Nigeria and open the doors of socio-economic opportunities for our nation”, the Minister said before decorating the gcouncil members.

Expressday Newspaper notes that subjugating quakery is at the heart of the Neliaku administration, and this seems to have reached an equilibrium with the federal government in this regard

The Minister also said: “This inauguration would have taken place earlier than now. but as you may recall, the election took place about the same time I took over the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. 

“Settling down to the duties of my office became a matter that needed full concentration. This explains the delay in performing this statutory function of the Minister of Information. It was not intentional, but exigencies of office. 

“What we are doing today is in line with the provisions of the Act, CAP N114, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that established the Institute as the nation’s only professional body charged with the responsibility to regulate the practice and development of public relations in both private and public sectors in Nigeria. 

“Permit me therefore, to express my profound gratitude to the founding fathers of the Institute for their foresight and initiative of birthing the idea 60 years ago, and more importantly, their effort in elevating it to an enviable chartered status, which places the NIPR among the very few professional bodies in the world with such level of government recognition. 

“Reputation is one of the key pillars in nation building and plays strategic roles in 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. 

“This is a sad phenomenon and as professionals, we must find practical public relations solutions to reclaim our damaged reputational asset. Other nations have their difficulties, but the difference is in the management of the issues, which is usually done through a robust partnership between government, professional groups like the NIPR and the general citizens. 

“As a professional and a Fellow of the Institute, I fully understand the importance of reputation and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is determined to partner with the NIPR to redesign communication strategy that will drive the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration towards enhanced national reputation and development.

“I must say that I am impressed with the initiatives and programmes of the current Council led by Dr. Ike Neliaku, as contained in a document presented to me earlier before this event. I firmly believe that if well implemented, they have potentials of transforming both the Institute and the country into a global reputational hub.

“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.”