By: Felix Ikpotor
As the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, celebrates 60 years of existence, the body has said that Nigeria needs better reputation managers to reposition it amongst the comity of nations of the world.
Rivers State Chairman of NIPR, Rev’d Francis Asuk stated this during a walk for economic transformation as part of activities marking the celebration in Port Harcourt.
Asuk said Nigerians are excelling all over the world in their various endeavours but yet still carry a bad name, emphasizing that the need for reputation builders to showcase the good images of the country.
“Nigeria needs a better reputation. We are a country with potentials, we have men, we have materials, we are skilled and all over the world Nigerians are shining in their individual areas of calling.
“What we need now is to come together as a people and show leadership and character as a nation. We want to be a nation of integrity, we want to be a nation where people do things the right way, we want to be a national where people don’t cut corners and therefore we find out that alot of the challenges we have in this country has to do with relationship management and NIPR is taking a bold step to ask Nigerians to do the right thing,” he said.
He added that only NIPR members have the full backing of the law to practice as relationship managers, calling for the engagement of only accredited NIPR members to manage relationships of companies and government agencies.
“We find out that so many people who find themselves as public relations practitioners are quacks and therefore because we have relationship challenge, the only people who are authorized by law to deal with relationship issues is the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, and they have been given the mandate to regulate the practice, to make sure that we help to drive our nation back to the path of integrity, righteousness and prosperity, so this walk is the beginning of that exercise.
“We want to call on men of goodwill to join the NIPR to build a new nation where there is integrity, respect for people, where there is good relationship with our communities, governments, politicians, military etc.
“We want to use this opportunity to call on members of the public to deal with only credible practitioners. The companies, businesses, governments, please higher only registered and accredited members of NIPR. Don’t leave your public relations in the hands of quacks you will suffer for it if you do and on that note we call on all of us to join the walk, Asuk said.
Speaking on the Road Walk which is tagged: “Walk For Economic Transformation”, the Rivers NIPR Chairman said Nigeria needs transformation in many areas but they have chosen to focus on the economy.
“The NIPR Council which is the body that oversees the regulation and practice of public relations led by the President of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku supported by members of council across the state and every chapter of NIPR, we are taking a road walk today for economic transformation. The reason is that our nation is in dare need of transformation in so many sectors but today we are focusing on our economic transformation. NIPR has taken on the task of ensuring that we rebuild a better reputation for Nigeria,” he said.
